Kashmiri youths turning to floriculture

ANANTNAG - The Department of Floriculture in Kashmir is using a Central Government sponsored-scheme to offer financial assistance to the state’s unemployed youth to attract them to flower cultivation.

The Floriculture Department under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) has started providing financial assistance to the unemployed youths of Stae’s Anantnag District.

Under this scheme, unemployed youths who have land from 0.5-49.5 hectares are being provided a loan between Rs 13,000-26,000 so that they can cultivate cut flowers. The department provides free seeds as well.

“Nowadays there are a large number of unemployed youth who are roaming in search of government jobs but it is not possible. But now government and RKVY have come up with an employment scheme for the unemployed youths. Under this scheme we have already registered 100 youth from Anantnag,” said Bashir Ahmad, Floriculture Officer, Anantnag.

Nearly 100 unemployed educated youths of Anantnag district have registered their names with the floriculture department.

“When I heard about it, even I got myself registered. Right now I have over three lakh Lilium flower plant. We are making a nursery here. Although I am an educated person, but I would advise everyone that they should also take up this cut-flower farming as one can reap huge profits out of it and can also export them,” said Ghulam Mohideen Mir, a local youth.

The demand for flowers has increased manifold in Srinagar, which has paved the way for expanding floriculture in the region, with growers eyeing flower exports. (ANI)