Interactive Session Held in Kupwara to Boost Floriculture Sector

Aadil Akbar

Kupwara: In a strategic move to promote commercial floriculture and enhance sustainable livelihoods, the District Floriculture Office, Kupwara, organized an interactive session with floriculture growers, entrepreneurs, and key stakeholders at Children’s Park, Handwara.

The event was presided over by the District Floriculture Officer (DFO), Kupwara, alongside the Assistant Floriculture Officer (AFO), under the aegis of the Department of Floriculture, Jammu & Kashmir.

The DFO, Kupwara, emphasized the department’s commitment to transforming floriculture into a major contributor to economic development and rural employment. He highlighted the government’s vision of making Jammu & Kashmir a hub for high-quality floriculture through technological innovation and supportive policies.

Participants were informed about various flagship schemes under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) and the Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA). These include subsidies for setting up infrastructure such as greenhouses, nurseries, and facilities for cut flower production. Detailed information was provided on eligibility criteria, application processes, and financial support available under these schemes.

Growers and entrepreneurs shared challenges they face, including limited access to quality planting material, market uncertainties, and inadequate post-harvest infrastructure. The department responded by assuring swift grievance redressal through district-level committees.

Speaking on the occasion, the DFO, Kupwara, said, This dialogue reaffirms our resolve to institutionalize stakeholder engagement. Moving forward, we will prioritize regular capacity-building workshops, exposure visits to successful floriculture units, and collaborations with e-commerce platforms to ensure holistic sectoral growth.

The District Floriculture Office, Kupwara, functions under the Directorate of Floriculture, Jammu & Kashmir. Its mandate includes promoting commercial floriculture through technical support and financial assistance to growers and entrepreneurs.

The session concluded with a collective commitment to building a vibrant floriculture ecosystem in the district.