The Director Agriculture Kashmir, Chowdhary Mohammad Iqbal today said that the sustainability of agriculture sector is to a large extent directly proportional to a strong agri based small scale cottage industries (SSCI) in the rural areas of the UT of J&K, and Agriculture Production and Farmer’s Welfare Department is committed to promote these SSCIs in Kashmir. The Director said this during his visit to the Beekeepers/ Honey Farmers (Apiarists) of Pakherpora area of district Budgam.During an interaction with the honey farmers, he said that the farmer who is operating a cottage industry (like Apiculture or Honey production, Mushroom Cultivation etc) could easily supplement the income raised from selling crops.Iqbal said these agri based small scale cottage industries like Bee Keeping provides more and more employment opportunities for rural people, unskilled people and women.The honey produced here is one of the best in the country therefore the department is trying to explore different marketing models in and outside the union territory by virtue of which the honey produced here could be promoted on the national and international platform, he added.He asked the educated youth of the valley to come forward and join hands with the Department so that the agri based SSCIs could be promoted and could touch the new heights in terms of a strong rural economy.Director said these Agri based SSCIs are eco friendly and contribute to the grass root development of the rural areas.Besides other officers Sub Divisional Agriculture Officer Chadoora Abdul Hameeed Shah accompanied the Director.