STATE TIMES NEWS
SRINAGAR: Minister for Horticulture, Abdul Rehman Veeri has said the government has earmarked a budgetary provision of Rs 150 crore for development of horticulture sector in the State. He said high density fruit plants and root stockings would be imported from European countries to boost fruit production.
This was stated by the minister during a meeting with the representatives of Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers and Dealers Association (KVFGDA) here on Wednesday.
Veeri said the horticulture is the mainstay of the States’ economy and government is making all out efforts to boost the fruit production by initiating several innovative measures. He said soil testing laboratories would be setup in each district and scrutiny of pesticides, fungicides and fertilizers would be ensured so that penetration of substandard material is checked.
He said the government has already taken several measures to curb the menace of spurious pesticides and fertilizers in the markets.
The minister said cold storage facility would be provided in the districts adding that steps have already been taken to expand fruit and vegetables Mandis in all districts. He said measures for upgradation of Fruit Mandis at Sopore, Pulwama, Pampore and Narwal have already been initiated while as development of several fruit and vegetable markets including Jabalpora are apace and would be completed within stipulated time.
Responding to the demands of the association, the minister said the government has approached the Centre for flood relief package adding once funds are released, the same would be provided to the affected fruit growers across the State.
Seeking the cooperation of fruit growers for development of horticulture sector, the minister said that Jammu and Kashmir has immense horticulture potential and to give this sector a boost we need to work collectively.