6000 quintals of virus free Potato Seeds expected from the 6 High Altitude Departmental Potato Seed Multiplication farms during the current year/Director Agriculture Kashmir

Tangmarg: Additional Secretary Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operation Government of India Vivek Agrawal (IAS) today visited Potato Seed Multiplication Farm Yarikha Tangmarg.
Director Agriculture Chowdhary Mohammad Iqbal along with Joint Director Agriculture Extension Mohammad Qasim Gani, Joint Director Agriculture Inputs Farooq Ahmad Shah Potato Development Officer Kashmir Waheed Ur Rehman, Chief Agriculture Officer Baramulla Mohammad Yousuf Shah, Deputy Director Planning Mohammad Younis Chowdhary were accompanying the Additional Secretary .
During the visit Additional Secretary inspected different sections of the Farm and interacted with the concerned officers and technical experts. While having exchange of thoughts Director Agriculture briefed the Additional Secretary regarding the activities being carried out in the farm for propagation of virus free seed tubers. Director Agriculture said that having unique climatic conditions in the valley, it is conducive for propagating virus free Potato Seeds here, and under the directions of Principal Secretary AP&FWD J&K Navin Kumar Choudhary (IAS), the department as per the suitability and after examination of various technical parameters like soil texture, soil health, irrigation status etc. of the Farms has embarked on the Principle of “One Farm One/Two Products” and it is expected that 6000 quintals of hi quality virus free Potato Seeds would be produced from the 6 High Altitude Departmental Potato Seed Multiplication farms during the current year.
While appreciating the 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 of JK could not only become self reliant in terms of Potato Seed requirement but should be in a position to export seed (Potato Seed) to the other parts of the country also. Regarding the issue of availability of Breeder Seeds Vivek Agrawal Additional Secretary assured that the matter would be taken up with Indian Council Of Agriculture Research (ICAR) for requirements regarding Breeder Seeds .
On the occasion a delegation of progressive farmers and Potato Growers of the Tangmarg and adjoining areas held a detailed interaction with the Additional Secretary. During the interaction they thanked him for various initiatives and farmer friendly schemes being launched by the Government of India for the welfare and upliftment of the farming community.
Later Additional Secretary also visited Potato Seed Multiplication Farm Gulmarg and took a review of activities being taken up there .

KR Desk