*Boost in Lavender Production makes “Atmanirbhar Bharat” a reality in Doda District,Emerges as top choice among local farmers* _More than 500 farmer’s doing cultivation over 700 kanals of land across the district_

Doda, December 31:

Atmanirbhar Bharat policy of the Central Govt is undoubtedly making huge impact all over the country as well as in the J&K,by making the local farmers self sufficient and self reliant, thus giving boost to the medium and small stakeholders to earn their livelihood.

 

Similarly in Doda district,one the best example to showcase the success of Atmanirbhar Bharat policy is the humongous growth been seen in the recent times in lavender cultivation.

 

This change is been witnessed due to the persistence efforts of the District Administration Doda,by motivating the local farmers to make a shift in the conventional farming and to opt for other farming avenues in order to become more progressive and prosperous.

 

The Union Minister PMO Dr Jitendra Singh,who is also the Member Parliament from Udhampur Kathua constituency (district Doda falls in their constituency),said that it is good step taken by the District Administration in boosting the local farmer’s to take up other alternative choices for cultivation of crops which has a huge potential in the  commercial as well as  in the medicinal markets.

 

Adding to this “The foundation stone of the Institute of High Altitude Medicinal Plant in Bhaderwah was laid down this year as part of a Central Governments plan to boost the production of medicinal and cosmetic oils which are in high demand across the nation. This Institute is going to provide seeds and technical support to local farmers helping them to become self sufficient in the process which is the basis of Atmanirbhar Bharat Policy” ,he added.

 

Deputy Commissioner Doda Dr Sagar D Doifode while briefing, extended gratitude to the Concerned for their support in popularising the lavender cultivation, said that these steps ensure all welfare and Infrastructural facilities to the farmers of the district boosting the same across the district.

 

Further giving account on this,the DC said that one and half year ago,the lavender cultivation was done only on quantum of 250 kanal of land in the district,which has now exceeded by a huge number and at present more than 700 kanals of land is under lavender cultivation in the district and approximately 500 farmer’s have opted this cultivation as a means of their livelihood.

 

The DC further Informed that due to the persistence efforts of the district administration for the convenience of the local farmers, installed 3 distillation plants to extract lavender and marigold essenses and oils.

 

District Administration Doda is ramping up its Mission Mode Stance for agricultural production with special focus on Lavender as principal crop to create a template for other areas of the Union Territory of J&K in terms of development and upliftment of Agricultural Sector,the DC added.