Horticulture in J&K to get a further boost

The Jammu and Kashmir government today said that it would take measures to give a further boost to the horticulture sector, the mainstay of state's economy.
"The government would initiate new and innovative measures to give a further boost to the horticulture sector," Minister for Horticulture Abdul Rehman Veeri said while replying to demands for grants of the Horticulture Department in the Legislative Assembly today.
He said, "We want to see a robust post-harvesting infrastructural mechanism in place for which there is a great need to increase the cold storage capacity for fresh fruits."
The post-harvest management is being strengthened by way of providing controlled atmosphere stores, packaging and grading centers and better marketing facilities. For this purpose, a provision of Rs 4 crore has been earmarked during the next fiscal, he said.

Veeri said two centers of excellence, one each at Jammu and Srinagar will be set up at an estimated cost of Rs 10 crore each.
"These centers would provide technology knowhow to the farmers for improving the quality of fruits and boosting the production," he said.

Thirty-six fruit and vegetable markets are being developed in a phased manner to overcome the marketing challenges, he added
"At present, three terminal and satellite markets are operating at Sopore, Parimpora and Kashmir and Narwal Jammu, besides 10 satellite markets, nine Apni mandies and Kissan Ghars at Jammu, Delhi and Kolkata are also functional," he said.

The other reformative measures, which are in the pipeline includes introduction of crop insurance to safeguard the interests of farmers.
"Three fruit crops, apple, cherry and mango have already been brought under the ambit of crop insurance cover on pilot basis, rejuvenation of 50 years old and senile orchards to boost the production by importing genetically robust plant material from developed countries," he said.
The Minister said that Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) has been approached to develop innovative techniques.
To provide immediate relief to the farming community, Veeri said that Government has announced waiver of 50 per cent Kissan Credit Card loans in case of small and vulnerable farmers considering the crop losses due to floods, he said.

In order to ensure supply of quality pesticides and fertilisers to farmers, specific directions have been issued to prevent the sale and use of spurious fertilisers and pesticides.
He said the government has taken steps by strengthening the enforcement wing and notifying 190 more Horticulture Development Officers as Insecticides Inspectors for better monitoring of the sale of pesticides.
Veeri said the companies shall frequently conduct field demonstrations of their new products prior to their entry into the market, especially in the apple belt of the valley.