Kishtwar, 07 December 2025: In an initiative towards strengthening agri-entrepreneurship in the district, Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar, Pankaj Sharma (JKAS), today flagged off a group of 25 farmers (15 female and 10 male) for an exposure visit aimed at promoting commercial floriculture.
The six-day exposure tour will take the farmers to Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, a premier institution renowned for its excellence in agricultural research and innovation.
The initiative, organised by the Department of Agriculture, Kishtwar, under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP – P14), is designed to equip farmers with advanced knowledge, technical skills, and modern cultivation practices in floriculture—an emerging sector with high income potential.
While addressing the participants, the Deputy Commissioner said that such exposure visits are extremely important for helping farmers learn new skills and modern farming methods. He appreciated the Agriculture Department for taking up progressive initiatives under HADP and encouraged farmers to make the best use of this opportunity.
He added that learning from successful models will boost confidence, promote innovation, and help improve the income and overall well-being of farming families in Kishtwar.
Chief Agriculture Officer Kishtwar, Kushal Chandel, highlighted the rising market demand for floricultural products, their low initial investment requirements, and the prospects for year-round cultivation.
He encouraged farmers to adopt scientific and sustainable cultivation methods, assuring them of continuous technical support from the department.
The participating farmers expressed their gratitude for the opportunity, acknowledging that the training would greatly enhance their skills, broaden their exposure, and contribute to improved livelihood prospects.
The event was attended by CAO Kishtwar, Kushal Chandel; SMS DL, Vikas Kaushal; SDO Kishtwar, Manzoor Ahmed Sharma; SDAO Kishtwar, Dheeraj Singh; and other staff of the Agriculture Department, Kishtwar.
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