 [ad_1]
<br><div>
										<p> </p>
 <p>JAMMU: Principal Secretary, Department of Agricultural Production and Farmers' Welfare, Navin Kumar Choudhary, today chaired a meeting of the constituted committee for the promotion of commercial floriculture in Jammu and Kashmir.</p>
 <p>The meeting was attended by the Secretary Commissioner for Floriculture, Parks and Gardens, Sheikh Fayaz Ahmad.</p>
 <p>The Principal Secretary highlighted the need to initiate special efforts to promote departmental schemes and subsidies, saying that the sector has immense potential yet to be explored.</p>
 <p>At the meeting it was decided that subsidy from Capex funds would not be allowed in the future.</p>
 <p>The Principal Secretary said that for the promotion of commercial floriculture at UT, flower growers would be incentivized for activities such as separate production and packing/marketing.  'The norms prescribed by the Mission for the Integral Development of Horticulture (MIDH) would be strictly applicable while subsidies are granted for the production of flowers,' he added.</p>
 <p>“The climate of the Kashmir division is ideal for the production of bulbs and cut flowers.  The Jammu Division consists of different climatic zones and thus offers opportunities for traditional flower growers for the production of cut flowers and various aromatic flowers such as lavender,” commented the Principal Secretary.</p>
 <p>He suggested the allocation of a defined budget for 'packaging and transport support' for flower growers.  The budget would constitute a definite amount for production support and packing/processing units as well as transportation, he added.</p>
 <p>It was also decided that no individual would be incentivized for more than 5 years under the aforementioned activities.</p>
 <p>The meeting also took stock of the government's PARVAZ cargo scheme which provides subsidies to farmers for air cargo.</p>
 <p>The Principal Secretary suggested that the scheme be extended to the Department of Horticulture on a trial basis for a period of three years.</p>
 <p>He set a goal of 25 percent increase in flower production for the department each year.  He also called for suggested educational tours for horticultural officials and experts to learn more about other successful states in the sector.</p>
 <p>Others present at the meeting included the Director General of Kashmir Horticulture, Ajaz Ahmad Bhat, the Director of Kashmir Floriculture and the Additional Secretary, Jahangir Hashmi, among other members of the committee.</p>
<p> </p> 									</div>
<br>[ad_2]