Srinagar: We are blessed to have some heritage crops of different categories including ornamentals, spices like (Coxcomb) Celosia cristata which are deep rooted into our cultural ethos, to preserve and promote these crops is our moral responsibility and we have to work as honest custodians so that these agricultural assets could reach our generations to come, these views were expressed by Director Agriculture Kashmir Chowdhary Mohammad Iqbal while visiting the Coxcomb (Celosia cristata) crop fields of Nowbugh Gulab bagh Ganderbal.
Director Agriculture said that the cultivation of crops like Coxcomb is a rare,
therefore need of the hour is that it should be promoted and preserved at different levels. He said the Department is committed to the promotion and preservation of such rare crops of Kashmir.
Director Agriculture said Coxcomb globally known by many names such as Amaranth, Velvet Flower and Wool Flower is used as an exotic spice in culinary delicacies. He said the Coxcomb is the key ingredient in the preparation of much relished cultural Kashmir’s cuisine (Wazwan). He reiterated that Department will work to make sure that this unique Kashmiri ornamental spice could reach new markets so that the concerned farmers could get better returns for their produce.
Director Agriculture expressed delight and said that it is an encouraging sign
that the educated youth of the area are taking this crop as a venture and employment opportunities are generated for others as well. He said that the Department in coordination with SKUAST will chalk out a plan for the development of rare crops like coxcomb

KR Desk