Srinagar January 28:(KNS) We have been successful in achieving the idea of providing the farmers with round the year availability of seedlings of different vegetable (traditional /exotic) crops to a very large extent. Amid changing global economic scenario Department is working on a multi dimensional roadmap to promote and secure the economic interests of farming community. 

These views were expressed by Director Agriculture Kashmir Chowdhary Mohammad Iqbal during his visit to the hi-tech poly houses at Kitchen Garden premises (Lalmandi, Srinagar). 

Director Agriculture took stock of the preparations for the distribution of seedlings among the farmers and agriculture entrepreneurs. Director Agriculture visited different blocks of the hi-tech installation and talked to the technical experts and concerned officers. He was informed that this year Department will commence the distribution of vegetable seedlings among the farmers from 15th of February (in phased manner) which is 10 days before the scheduled date. 

Chowdhary Iqbal said in addition to the commercial vegetable cultivation, the vegetable enterprise is being adopted by the kitchen garden lovers, backyard farmers throughout the region and has therefore raised the demand for vegetable seedlings manifold. 

Because of our special agro climatic conditions, we are unique in producing and supplying fresh vegetables at times when they are not cultivated in other states of the country. This prospect increases the demand for our produce throughout the country, Iqbal added. 

Director Agriculture asked the concerned officers and technical staff of the hi-tech poly houses to add more vegetable crops (traditional/exotic) to their lot, so that the farmers could be provided with more options to add their basket. 

Earlier Director Agriculture visited hi-tech poly house installations of district Budgam and impressed upon the concerned officers to ensure that the quality seedlings of different vegetable crops is made available to the farmers well in time.(KNS)