Bandipora, May 8: Krishi Vigyan Kendra Gurez (KVK Gurez) has initiated efforts to establish a lavender cultivation yard in the border valley, adding another milestone to its ongoing agricultural diversification initiatives in the region.
The proposed lavender yard comes after the successful introduction of several novel interventions by the Kendra, including the domestication of kala zeera and establishment of the first-ever tulip yard in Gurez.
Officials associated with the initiative said the project aims to explore the potential of high-value aromatic and medicinal crops under Gurez’s unique climatic conditions and provide new livelihood opportunities to local farmers.
KVK Gurez acknowledged the support extended by CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM) Pulwama for providing quality planting material for demonstration purposes in the region.
The Kendra also thanked Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice-Chancellor of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), for initiating the idea and supporting the programme.
Special appreciation was also expressed for Raihana Habib Kanth, Director Extension at SKUAST-K, for her continued guidance and support to the initiative.
The development is being viewed as part of wider efforts to promote scientific agriculture, floriculture and aromatic crop cultivation in remote areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
