STATE TIMES NEWS
SRINAGAR: Minister for Horticulture, Hajj and Auqaf, Abdul Rehman Veeri on Tuesday said the existing Fruit Mandi at Chrar-e-Sharief would be modernized by creating all requisite facilities. He said additional land would be acquired for its expansion to provide suitable marketing facilities to the fruit growers of Budgam District.
The minister stated this during his visit to the fruit Mandi Chrar-e-Sharief. He took stock of the facilities available in the Mandi for the growers and traders.
Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura also accompanied the Horticulture Minister during the tour.
The minister was apprised that Mandi is spread over 49 kanals, having 102 allotted shop-sites, three auction platforms, toilet and administrative block facilities.
Veeri directed for fencing and black-topping of the Mandi and installation of a Weigh Bridge there.
Addressing the fruit growers and dealers on the occasion, the Minister said that horticulture is one of the key sectors of the State’s economy and Government is giving focused attention to further strengthen this sector by evolving new and innovative measures.
Comparing the potential of horticulture sector with that of the tourism sector, the minister said there is a need to properly implement the market intervention scheme to support growers to sell their produce remuneratively. He said Government will continue to procure C-grade apples from the growers so that the best quality apple is exported into the markets.
The minister said that post-harvest management is being strengthened by way of providing cold atmosphere stores, packing and grading centers and intensive training programmes, to reduce wastage of fruit.
On Crop Insurance, the Minister said that Government is keen to bring all important crops under the insurance cover to safeguard the interests of farmers.
He said soil testing laboratories would be setup in all districts, while as pesticide laboratories would also be setup at divisional levels. He said Government has waived 50% KCC loans up to Rs 1 lakh adding that demand for waiver of KCC loans above Rs 1 lakh has also been taken up with the Finance Ministry.
