Srinagar, Dec 24 (KNS): Following the training on protected cultivation of flowers, the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (today felicitated 26 unemployed youth who have started their ventures in commercial floriculture.
The SKUAST had enrolled unemployed youth from various districts of Kashmir for one-month skill development program on protected floriculture.
To grow flowers on the commercial scale in Kashmir, the SKUAST had provided training cum demonstration on precision farming intervention for elite commercial to the unemployed youth.
“The program will help in entrepreneurship development and business ventures based on commercial floriculture including cut flowers, nursery plants,” said SKUAST Kashmir vice chancellor Professor Nazir Ahmad.
Ahmad highlighted the importance of commercial floriculture and its impact on economic conditions of farmers. “The program is part of our ongoing efforts to promote commercial floriculture in Kashmir,” he said.
He underscored the need to concentrate on cut flower production as Kashmir is having off season cultivation potential. He said bulb production of temperate bulbous especially tulip, lilium and hyacinth would ensure good economic returns to growers. “It will also help us in minimizing the imports to India from Holland,” he said.
Ahmad said Kashmir is having niche area in cultivation of temperate flowers which can ensure best options of livelihood security.
Kashmir was hub of seed production of international repute and due to uneven conditions of 90s it faced set back, he said, adding that need of the hour is to revive this industry. (KNS)