Gulmarg 09 April (KNS):While continuing the sequence of events for the
promotion of departmental farms and to take on spot assessment of different
agricultural activities being carried out, Principal secretary AP&FWD Navin
Kumar Choudhary (IAS) today visited Potato Seed Multiplication farm
Gulmarg.

While interacting with the concerned officers Principal Secretary
highlighted the importance of promoting Gulmarg Farm on modern scientific
lines so that not only the Potato seed requirement of the valley could be taken
care of but the surplus seed could be made available to some other states of
the country also.

He said that the Potato Seed Multiplication Farm is an asset of the
department and the latest technological interventions in the cultivation of
potato used globally should be adopted so that the best use of such a high
altitude Seed Multiplication Farm could be achieved.

Principal Secretary said that the innovative ideas for the optimal
utilization of farm lands should be encouraged for which all the innovative
steps should be taken up.

He impressed upon the officers / officials working
in the Farms to work with commitment and coordination to achieve tangible
results on ground, so that the benefits of existence of these farms reach to the
grass root level.

During the visit Principal Secretary directed for utilizing whole Gulmarg
Farm for Potato Cultivation and set the target of 2500 Quintals of high quality

Potato seeds for this year, he urged upon the officers and technical staff to
take it as a challenge and ensure all the necessary efforts to meet it out.
Earlier Director Agriculture Chowdhary Mohammad Iqbal gave a
detailed overview of the farm and informed Principal Secretary about various
activities being carried out in the Farm.

Principal Secretary was accompanied by Director Agriculture Kashmir
Chowdhary Mohammad Iqbal, Potato Development Officer Kashmir Waheed-
Ur- Rehman, Farm Manager SM Farm Gulmarg and other concern officers of
the department.(KNS)