Deputy Commissioner Anantnag Dr Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat on Wednesday visited the Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Germplasm Bank established by the Agriculture Department under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) at Verinag and reviewed the facilities and activities being undertaken there.
The Deputy Commissioner was accompanied by Additional Deputy Commissioner Dr Muzammil Maqbool, Chief Planning Officer Tawseef Ahmad, Chief Agriculture Officer Syed Shahnawaz and other concerned officers and field functionaries.
During the visit, Bhat inspected various facilities and demonstration plots at the germplasm bank, including those dedicated to lavender, rosemary, lemongrass and other medicinal and aromatic plants.
He took stock of the cultivation and preservation of different plant varieties and reviewed the overall progress of the project.
The Deputy Commissioner also inspected the Controlled Conditions Mushroom Unit and the Mushroom Compost Making Unit established at the facility.
He appreciated the Agriculture Department’s efforts in establishing and developing the germplasm bank and stressed the importance of promoting medicinal and aromatic plants as a means of supporting sustainable agriculture and generating livelihoods.
Briefing the Deputy Commissioner, Chief Agriculture Officer Syed Shahnawaz provided an overview of the facilities, activities and initiatives being undertaken at the germplasm bank.
He said all the facilities had been developed under HADP and described the project as an example of the programme’s implementation.
Bhat called for more innovative agricultural initiatives and directed the concerned officers to explore the possibility of establishing similar projects under HADP and JKCIP at other suitable locations across the district.
He said Anantnag has significant potential for diverse crops and modern farming practices, which could contribute to bioconservation while also creating self-employment opportunities for local youth.
The Deputy Commissioner urged the Agriculture Department to encourage farmers and unemployed youth to establish modern and sustainable units focused on plants with high market demand and commercial value.
