SRINAGAR, MARCH 03: Director Agriculture Kashmir (DAK), Sartaj Ahmad Shah, Tuesday conducted a detailed inspection of several flagship schemes at the Lalmandi complex in Srinagar.
The visit focused on assessing progress under the Floriculture Development Scheme, Kitchen Garden Scheme, and Integrated Mushroom Development Centre (IMDC), while also reviewing overall preparations for the upcoming agricultural season.
During the inspection, the Director visited various sections of the Floriculture Development Scheme to evaluate infrastructure, nursery operations, and ongoing initiatives aimed at promoting commercial floriculture and allied activities in the region. He emphasized the importance of enhancing flower production, quality standards, and market linkages to boost farmers’ income under government-supported programs.
At the Kitchen Garden Scheme facility, the Director reviewed seedling production, distribution mechanisms, and promotional efforts to encourage household and community-level vegetable cultivation. The scheme continues to play a vital role in promoting self-sufficiency in fresh vegetables, nutritional security, and sustainable home gardening practices among rural and urban households.
The inspection also included the Integrated Mushroom Development Centre (IMDC), where the Director assessed spawn production, compost facilities, training programs, and technical support extended to mushroom growers. He directed officials to strengthen extension services and ensure timely availability of quality inputs to farmers interested in mushroom cultivation as a high-value enterprise.
While interacting with officers and field staff, the Director reviewed the overall readiness for the forthcoming agricultural season, including input availability (seeds, fertilizers, and planting material), pest and disease management strategies, weather-adaptive practices, and farmer outreach programs. He stressed the need for coordinated efforts to maximize productivity, minimize post-harvest losses, and align departmental activities with the objectives of the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) and other schemes.
The Director commended the dedication of the staff at Lalmandi and called for sustained focus on innovation, quality, and farmer-centric service delivery to achieve the goals of sustainable agriculture in Kashmir division.
