In a landmark action, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Saturdaylaunched green cultivation along the National Highways beginning from theenvironmentally fragile Ramban-Banihal section of the Jammu-Srinagar highway.

The Minister also hailed the successful genre of Agri StartUpsevolving into entrepreneurs. This he said, is in keeping with the prioritiesfollowed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the last 10 years.

To begin with, lavender cultivation will be undertaken along theRamban-Banihal stretch of J&K National Highway. Dr Jitendra Singh expressedsatisfaction that Agri StartUps turned Agri entrepreneurs have joined hands toplant lavender on either side of the highway and on its divider over an area ofmore than one lakh square kilometres.

Singh said this unique initiative has manifold objectives. “It willtry to help mitigate the damage caused to the environment by vehicularemissions, prevent road accidents by discouraging pedestrians from crossing thehighway, and add to the beautification of the road,” Singh said.

This step will not only help reduce pollution and accidentproneness on the Highway, but will also promote the agri start-ups involved inthe Purple revolution, the Minister added.

He said it is heartening to witness that his idea of starting greencultivation on national highways has seen the light of the day. “Today will beremembered for J&K having set a milestone in conserving the environment fortimes to come,” he highlighted.

The Union Minister said that a new era of agri start-ups began inJammu and Kashmir, with Aroma Mission born in Bhaderwah of district Doda nowbeing talked about the world over.

“Purple revolution has served the twin objective of putting bothBhaderwah and J&K on the world map,” the Minister stated, adding that thisrevolution has now spread to other States, such as Himachal Pradesh, Nagalandand Meghalaya.

“By taking a lead in the Aroma Mission, J&K has exemplifiedthat it would have a significant role as a great contributor to the agrieconomy of India in the next 25 years in the run-up to a developed India of2047 as envisioned by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi”, Singh said.

Stating that agri start-ups have emerged as an alternate andlucrative source of livelihood, the Union Minister said that in no time, it hasattracted creative and innovative youth in their droves to make it their careeras products emanating from it are fetching high prices in both domestic andforeign markets.

“From mere farmers and agriculturists, lavender cultivators havebecome brand ambassadors of J&K and proprietors of their increasinglygrowing companies, earning themselves a name and also making the country proudin foreign lands,” Singh said.