Jammu and Kashmir has potential of becoming a leading seed potato producer: Union Additional Secretary

Highlighting the importance of latest technological interventions, Union Additional Secretary Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Vivek Agarwal said Jammu and Kashmir has the potential to produce high quality virus-free potato seeds and become its largest producer.

Agarwal made these remarks during his visit to Potato Seed Multiplication Farms in Tangmarg and Gulmarg. The Additional Secretary inspected different sections of the Farm in Tangmarg and interacted with the concerned officers and technical experts about the working of the unit.

Director Agriculture briefed the Additional Secretary regarding the activities being carried out in the farm for propagation of virus-free seed tubers. He said that unique climatic conditions in the Valley offer good opportunities for propagating virus-free potato seeds.

Choudhary Mohammad Iqbal, Director Agriculture Kashmir:
 

"The department has embarked on the principle of ‘One Farm One/Two Products’ as per the suitability and technical parameters like soil texture, soil health and irrigation status of the farms."

He said production of 6000 quintals of high-quality virus-free potato seeds is expected from the six high altitude departmental potato seed multiplication farms during the current year.

While appreciating work done by the Agriculture Department Kashmir, the Additional Secretary highlighted the importance of latest technological interventions during the production of potato seed tubers.

He asked to put in all the efforts for a successful cropping season so that the union territory becomes not only self reliant in terms of potato seed requirement but be in a position to export seeds to other parts of the country.

Regarding the issue of availability of breeder seeds, Agarwal assured that the matter would be taken up with Indian Council of Agriculture Research.

Meanwhile, a delegation of progressive farmers and potato growers of Tangmarg and adjoining areas held a detailed interaction with the Additional Secretary. They expressed gratitude for various initiatives and farmer-friendly schemes launched by the Government of India for welfare and uplift of farming community.

Later, the Additional Secretary visited Potato Seed Multiplication Farm Gulmarg and took a review of activities being taken up there.