The Director Agriculture Kashmir, Chowdhury Mohammad Iqbal today inaugurated distribution of vegetable seedlings (third cycle) raised on scientific lines under (controlled conditions) in hi-tech poly houses here at kitchen gardens Lalmandi Srinagar.
On the occasion, the Director handed over the vegetable seedlings (Khaniyari Saag, Bottle gourd, Tomato Roma, Squash, chilies and cucumber) to farmers of Srinagar district and adjacent areas.
Speaking to the farmers, the Director highlighted the role of vegetable cultivation in the overall development of the agriculture sector. He assured the farmers of every possible technical support from the department during the cultivation of different vegetable crops.
Director said that besides other vegetables department is pursuing a plan for the revival and promotion of Kashmiri lal-mirch (Red Chillies), (characterized by their ability to give a dark red color to food, capable of coloring and adding flavor, while at the same time not allowing the food to become too pungent or spicy) at national and international level.
He said they have fixed a target of bringing 5000 hectares of land under the cultivation of Kashmiri lal-mirch in all the districts of Kashmir division. Iqbal said to achieve this target the department has already taken all the necessary steps to provide seedling to the farmers and for that both the public and private sector are playing their role.
Director said he was working in this direction and from 27th of Jan 2023, the department has provided three cycles of vegetable seedlings raised on scientific lines under controlled conditions to the farming community of the division.
Chowdhury Iqbal said that valley wide seedling distribution will continue in a phased manner. He said demand for vegetable seedling is increasing every year as backyard farming and kitchen garden farming is increasing which is an encouraging trend for the overall development of the agriculture sector.
The Director was apprised on the occasion that during the third phase about 2-3 lakh seedlings of (Khaniyari Saag, Bottle gourd, Tomato Roma, Squash, chillies and cucumber) have been raised under high- tech poly houses at kitchen gardens premises Lalmandi Srinagar.