Farmers of  Gurez valley in North Kashmir's Bandipora district are going to receive a massive boost as  PepsiCo India Holdings Pvt Ltd will procure potato crops from them to make chips.

Located 125 kilometers away from the summer capital Srinagar, the enchanting Gurez valley and its adjoining Tehsil Tulail are known for their vast potential in growing high-quality and delectable potatoes, reports Rising Kashmir.

Thanks to the valley's cold climatic conditions and the nutrient-rich soil, Gurez is already a prodigious producer of potatoes. However, the valley's unique conditions also make it ideal for growing potato seeds, adding to its allure and making it a prime destination for potato lovers, the news portal reported.

The Mountain Agriculture Research & Extension Station, izmarg of SKUAST-Kashmir  are evaluating various high yielding lines of potato for Gurez valley under its Potato Research Program under  Gurez conditions. A testament to the expertise and hard work of the local farmers making the Gurez, "The Potato Basket of Kashmir".

Last year, after bagging the best offbeat tourist destination award in 2022, nature lovers flocked the valley to have a hike in the patchy defiles of the sky-scrapping peaks there.