Dr Bilal Calls for innovative agri-initiatives to boost bioconservation, youth employment
Anantnag| Sept, 9:Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anantnag, Dr. Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat, Wednesday visited the Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Germplasm Bank established by the Agriculture Department under the Holistic Agriculture Development Program (HADP) at Verinag.
The DC was accompanied by Additional Deputy Commissioner, Dr. Muzammil Maqbool, Chief Planning Officer, Tawseef Ahmad, Chief Agriculture Officer, Syed Shahnawaz, and other concerned officers and field functionaries.
During the visit, the Deputy Commissioner inspected various facilities and demonstration plots at the Germplasm Bank, including those for lavender, rosemary, lemongrass, and other medicinal and aromatic plants. He inquired about the cultivation and preservation of these diverse plant varieties and reviewed the overall progress of the project.
The DC further inspected the Controlled Conditions Mushroom Unit and the Mushroom Compost Making Unit established at the facility. He appreciated the efforts of the Agriculture Department in setting up and developing the Germplasm Bank at Verinag and emphasized the importance of promoting medicinal and aromatic plants for sustainable agriculture and livelihood generation.
Briefing the Deputy Commissioner on the project, the Chief Agriculture Officer provided a detailed overview of the facilities, activities, and initiatives being undertaken at the bank. He informed that all facilities were developed under HADP and the project is seen as a shining example of the flagship program’s success.
Commending the project’s multiple units, the DC stressed to launch innovative agricultural initiatives and asked the concerned officers to explore possibilities for establishing similar projects under HADP and JKCIP at other viable locations across the district.
He noted that the district possesses immense potential for diverse crops and modern farming practices, which will significantly contribute to bioconservation while generating self-employment opportunities for local youth.
The department should actively encourage both farmers and unemployed youth to set up modernistic and sustainable units for plants having high market demand and commercial value, he said.
