Union Addl Secy visits Potato Seed Multiplication Farms Yarikha, Gulmarg

Tangmarg: Additional Secretary, Union Ministry of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Vivek Agarwal, Friday visited Potato Seed Multiplication Farm Yarikha, Tangmarg.
Director, Agriculture, Chowdhary Mohammad Iqbal, along with Joint Director Agriculture Extension, Mohammad Qasim Gani, Joint Director, Agriculture Inputs, Farooq Ahmad Shah, Potato Development Officer, Kashmir, Waheed Ur Rehman, Chief Agriculture Officer, Baramulla, Mohammad Yousuf Shah, Deputy Director Planning, Mohammad Younis Chowdhary accompanied the Additional Secretary.
During the visit, Additional Secretary inspected different sections of the Farm and interacted with the concerned officers and technical experts about the working of the unit.
Director Agriculture briefed the Additional Secretary regarding the activities being carried out in the farm for propagation of virus free seed tubers. He said that unique climatic conditions in the Valley offers good opportunity for propagating virus free Potato Seeds here. The department has embarked on the principle of “One Farm One/Two Products” as per the suitability and technical parameters like soil texture, soil health and irrigation status of the farms, he said adding that production of 6000 quintal of hi quality virus free Potato Seeds is expected from the 6 High Altitude Departmental Potato Seed Multiplication farms during the current year.
While appreciating work done by the Agriculture Department Kashmir, Additional Secretary highlighted the importance of latest technological interventions during the production of Potato Seed tubers. He asked to put in all the efforts for a successful cropping season so that Jammu & Kashmir could not only become self reliant in terms of Potato Seed requirement but should be in a position to export seed (Potato Seed) to other parts of country as well.
Regarding the issue of availability of Breeder Seeds, Additional Secretary assured that the matter would be taken up with Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR).
Meanwhile, a delegation of progressive farmers and potato growers of Tangmarg and adjoining areas held a detailed interaction with the Additional Secretary. They expressed gratitude for various initiatives and farmer friendly schemes launched by the Government of India for welfare and uplift of farming community. Later, Additional Secretary visited Potato Seed Multiplication Farm Gulmarg and took a review of activities being taken up there.