Srinagar: Young people in Kashmir are exploring options of self-employment in the horticulture industry. Many youth keen on cultivating green fingers at gardening as the valley is bathed in bloom and families turn buyers for the green gold.

Till five to six years ago, old horticulturists and gardeners had not been able to earn much. But in the last five to six years the plant nursery business really has picked up.

This has opened up avenues for employment to several youth, who work in the many greenhouses in Srinagar. The highway too is buzzing with trucks. And, the trucks, loaded with a variety of flowers bespeak the latest reality in the Valley.

"I have never brought any such cargo (flower and flower plants) into the valley before this day. Most of the times we are driving in other material in our trucks but this time the trucks are loaded with flower plants. In fact, more are on the way and should reach here by tomorrow," said Pradeep Kumar Sharma, a truck driver.

To the new-age horticulturists, it is a common knowledge that the six-month period -- March to August -- is the main season and they want to utilise this time to the utmost by sowing.

"This increase in plant market has gone down very well amongst the youth. This brisk business in plants is translating into more job employment opportunities for the youth. We are happy that what looked to us as a way to beautify one's home, is translating into a good medium to earn a livelihood," said Taabish, a housewife.

Recently, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir had announced plans to encourage farmers to adopt latest technologies to increase production, especially, in the areas of horticulture, floriculture, apiculture and mushroom cultivation.

Sensing the necessity to develop the sector in the State, the agriculture ministry announced plans to provide polygreen houses, irrigation pumps and other inputs to farmers. -- ANI

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