Warapora (Tangmarg), May 14: Maintaining that Warpora Tangmarg has a great potential for horticulture and agriculture, minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Hassan Mir today said this potential can also be used to attract tourists.
 Inaugurating a training-cum-awareness camp of agriculture and horticulture organized jointly by Directorate of Agriculture and Horticulture this afternoon, the minister asked the farmers to plant exotic variety of cherry and strawberries so that when they bloom, the tourists are invited to enjoy the scenic beauty of the place as they enjoy in the Tulip garden and Badam- Wari.
 He said this would also strengthen the economy of the people of the area and will also help increase the quality production of the cherry, an official statement said.
 Urging the farmers’ community to get benefit of latest technology and cultivate exotic varieties, the Minister said that the progressive farmers have to take a lead in adopting the technology in their farms to have more and more fruit production.
 He said the farmers of neighbouring state and European countries sell their products on the national and international market by way of infusing agri-horticulture techniques.
 He said that Horticulture Department would provide every help to the orchard owners to realize the dream.
 Mir stressed for bringing the Zarni and Buat area under the cultivation of exotic variety of strawberry for quality production.
 He also called for cultivating traditional variety of strawberry under organic farming scheme so that the tourists have a taste of both the varieties.
 Saying that the area has a huge potential for the cultivation of Medicinal Plants, Mir said that there is a need to shift for cultivation of cash crops for which the government is providing incentives to encourage the farmer’s community.
 He said the floriculture produce and medicinal plants have huge market potential on the national and international market and asked the farmers to shift towards the profitable activities.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 14 May 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 14 May 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 15 May 2012 00:00:00 IST