Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Departments, Javid Ahmad Dar, today inaugurated Autumn Flower Festival (Chrysanthemum Show) at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology-Kashmir (SKUAST-K) here.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Dar congratulated the university authorities, particularly the Faculty of Floriculture, for organizing the colourful event that celebrates Kashmir’s floral diversity and artistic traditions. He said that the festival aims to showcase the natural beauty of Kashmir’s flora while attracting tourists, students, and entrepreneurs to explore the vast potential of floriculture in the region.

Highlighting the significance of the event, Javid Dar said that the Autumn Flower Festival, featuring 15 indigenous varieties and over 80 colours of chrysanthemums, marks the first major attempt to promote autumn tourism in the Valley, complementing the region’s traditional spring, summer and winter attractions.

Minister Dar emphasized that the initiative aligns with the government’s broader vision of diversifying tourism and creating livelihood opportunities through agriculture and allied sectors. He said that the Agriculture Production Department is encouraging farmers to adopt floriculture as a viable business venture alongside their routine farming, given its growing market demand and export potential.

MLA Sonawari Hilal Akbar Lone; Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganie; Director Sheep Husbandry Kashmir, and other senior officers and scientists were present on the occasion