Umaisar Gull Ganie
Anantnag, Apr 5: Amid rising unemployment in Jammu Kashmir, a youth from south Kashmir is inspiring a change in the region. Mohammed Ashraf Dar from south Kashmir has started his own floriculture unit in Anantnag, providing jobs to the local youth. After establishing his floriculture income-generating unit at Batengoo area of Anantnag district, the 45-year-old entrepreneur is providing employment to a dozen people.
Ashraf said that he preferred the flower business because he wanted to become a job provider and not a job seeker.
He is growing Tulip and all other varieties of flowers in his nursery situated along the old highway that connected Jammu with Baramulla.
Ashraf has set an example for those who spend time waiting for government jobs.
“We do not have to wait for MNCs and the government to provide us employment. We have rich sectors like horticulture, agriculture, fisheries, and dairy etc and if we use them properly, we will not remain job seekers,” the 45-year-old said.
His nursery is full of customers busy buying tulips and other flowers. Ashraf started this project three years ago when he was unemployed and seeking a job. “Today, around one dozen youths are working here. I am earning a handsome amount,” Ashraf said
He said that the youth of Jammu and Kashmir must come forward to start such projects to end unemployment. For this, he is willing to provide support to the local youth in initiating flower nursery ventures.
“We have already all varieties of flowers in Kashmir and some among them are being germinated here while others are being brought from outside Jammu and Kashmir. “If we receive abundant support, we can export flowers from here to the entire world,” Ashraf said.
He said that the business fetches a handsome product from February to July and in other months new plants are being germinated for indoor purposes.
“I have sought guidance from a few experts from Srinagar and then employees of floriculture from Kulgam who guided me and provided all assistance about it,” he said.
