SRINAGAR, MARCH 18: Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Agriculture Production Department, Atal Dullo, today inaugurated Medicinal and Aromatic Park at floriculture development scheme Lalmandi here with plantation of some aromatic and medicinal plants.

Speaking on the occasion, ACS highlighted the importance of commercial cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants.

He said that “Promotion of commercial cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants” is one among the 29 projects, approved by the government after being recommended by the UT level apex committee for holistic development of agriculture and allied sectors in J&K.

While speaking on several aspects of medical and aromatic plants sector, Atal Dullo impressed upon the officers to increase awareness among the educated youth regarding the commercial cultivation of Medical and Aromatic Plants.

He said that development of medical plant sector in J&K has great scope for providing employment to the people as there is a huge market for medicinal and aromatic plants in the country.

ACS also visited Kitchen garden and mushroom development scheme of the department and took stock of various interventions adopted by the concerned wings.

Later, Dullo visited S.M Farm Tapper Kreeri. He inspected different blocks of the farm and had an interactive session with the officers and technical experts of the farm.

Interacting with the concerned officers, he said that department has already taken a number of steps to strengthen the departmental farms. He said these farms have to work as centres of excellence for the farmers and agri pruners in coming times.

The visiting dignitary was apprised by the concerned officers about the various new interventions applied by the farm this year.

Director Agriculture Kashmir Chowdhury Mohammad Iqbal, Joint Director extension, Joint Director inputs, Joint Director Apiculture and Mushroom , Director Rakhs and farms , Joint Director Agriculture Planning and other senior officers were present on the occasion.