Bandipora: Joint Director Agricultural Farms, procurement Mandis and promotion of Spices and Medicinal plants Dr Syed Waseem Ahmad Shah inaugurated organic vegetable cluster sale outlet at Naid Bagh Trigam Sumbal in Bandipora district on Saturday. Progressive farmers from organic vegetable cluster Ganastan and other adjoining vegetable areas participated and got encouraged by knowing about the various departmental schemes.
At the Sale outlet farmers from organic cluster Ganastan exhibit their organic food products for sale including mushroom and honey. The programme was conducted while following Covid SOP’s strictly. In addition to farmers, various Self Help Groups (SHGs) of women including Shehjar FPO displayed their work regarding Agriculture.
Chief Agriculture Officer, Bandipora, Rafiq Ahmad Kakroo, Agrostologist Mujtaba Yahya, SDAO Sumbal Farooq Ahmad Sofi, District officers and other Sub-Divisional and zonal level officers were also present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Joint Director Dr Syed Waseem Ahmad Shah said organic farming is worldwide acknowledged as a crop production system which can sustain the health of soil, ecosystem and people by combining tradition, innovation and improved farm technology. He said the need of the hour is to broaden the base of such centres for bringing the right product at the right price for the consumers.
He emphasized that organic cultivation is emerging as the most lucrative farm activity and needs to be promoted across Jammu and Kashmir. While elaborating on the organic sector’s success in the valley, he said that organic vegetables are becoming an integral part of regular food consumption as people are growing health conscious, for which the department is taking various initiatives.

KR Desk