Ramban : The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR)- Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine(IIIM), Jammu, in collaboration with Department of Agriculture, organised a one day training and planting material distribution programme under CSIR Floriculture Mission in Ramban under the aegis of Director, CSIR, IIIM, Jammu, Dr. Jabeer Ahmed here on Monday.
In the event, 85 farmer beneficiaries from different areas of the district were imparted training on commercial cultivation and post harvest technologies for Cut and Loose flower cultivars.
The farmers were also provided free hybrid seeds of Gladiolus, Marigold flowers and seedlings of Lavender.
At the outset of the programme, Chief Agriculture Officer, Ramban Dr. Ashwani Kumar welcomed the chief guest Deputy Commissioner, Ramban Mussarat Islam, Nodal Scientist, CSIR Floriculture Mission, Dr Shahid Rasool, officers of the Department of Agriculture and participating farmers.
In his interaction with the participants, Dr Shahid Rasool gave a brief about the different verticals being implemented across the J&K under CSIR Floriculture Mission and its importance to bring about the transformational change in the commercial floriculture sector of the region.
Highlighting the scope and the opportunities in the cultivation and multiplication of the commercial cut and loose flower varieties, considering the diverse edaphic and agro-climatic conditions in the entire Chenab Valley, Ramban being centrally located between Srinagar and Jammu can be leveraged for supply of marigold during the peak demand seasons of religious tourism.
He further emphasized on resource optimization and integrated approach to farming practices for overall inclusive development in the farming sector.
He informed that although this Mission has been going on in J&K for past two years yet it has now been introduced in this area.And it is a Rs.25,000 cr industrial sector in India.
In his initial remarks, Deputy Commissioner, Ramban, Mussarat Islam complimented the initiative of CSIR-IIIM for reaching out to the farmers of the far flung areas of the district Ramban and informed that more than 60 per cent of the households in the district derive their income and livelihood from the farming sector.
Making a mention of various farmer oriented schemes of the government, he informed that the district administration in coherence with the line departments is always steadfast and strives for the delivery and assistance to the farmers.
While welcoming the coverage of the farmers of the district under CSIR Floriculture Mission, he emphasized that the farmlands in the district are ideally suited for cultivation of cash crops including flower varieties.
He also expressed his gratitude to the participating farmers and impressed upon the officers of the department of agriculture to have a coordinated approach for translation of the activities under the Mission for greater outcome.
Later, in the technical session a detailed presentation on scientific cultivation of Marigold and Gladiolus was delivered by Dr Iqra Farooq through Power Point Presentation.
The proceedings of the event ended with the vote of thanks by Sunil Gupta, SMS Department of Agriculture, Ramban.
