Srinagar October 11:(KNS) To popularize the consumption of local fruits, the Directorate of Horticulture Kashmir today organized a “Buyer-Seller Meet” in the premises of Horticulture Complex Rajbagh Srinagar in collaboration with C.A Storage Owners Association Kashmir and Fruit & Vegetable Processing Association Kashmir.
Director Horticulture Kashmir Sh. Ajaz Ahmad Bhat, KAS postulated this concept on the pattern of Sunday market, where sale/display of different varieties of fruits took place. The event was inaugurated by Sh. Navin Kumar Choudhary, Principal to Government Horticulture Department. Director Horticulture Kashmir, Chief Horticulture Officers, other Districts/zone level Officers, President C.A Storage Owners Association Kashmir and President Fruit & Vegetable Processing Association Kashmir were also present. Director Horticulture Kashmir informed that in the first instance, around 10 fruit exhibits/stalls were installed and more than 25 samples of fresh and dried fruits including apple, Pear, Puince, Pomegranate, Persimmon, Lime, Galgal, Walnut, Almond and Peanut besides, value added products such as Jam, Juice, Pickles, Squashes of different fruits were also displayed in the event to boost the home scale processing of horticulture produce. The event was attended by more than 500 people hailing from different areas of Kashmir valley. Addressing the gathering of public, Director Horticulture said that Government is committed to provide marketing facilities to the farmers at their doorsteps and for this purpose fruits markets are being strengthened across the valley. He said that adequate promotion needs to be given to different schemes launched under horticulture sector so that those living in rural areas could get benefit of the same. He called for a change in the mindset of the unemployed youth towards entrepreneurship and asked them to become job providers instead of job seekers.
Director Horticulture said that the department is trying its best to reach out to all the farmers to assist them in increasing their production. He said that the farmers should boost the horticulture production supplemented by dairying activity for income generation. Maintaining that Kashmir division has great potential for horticulture produce, the Director advised the farmers to switchover to High Density instead of traditional one, adding that these crops have great demand in the market. The Director informed that the proposal for setting up of Walnut Nurseries in the UT to increase walnut production on scientific lines and boost export. The event was highly applauded by the audience and requested that the event should continue in future as well as it create awareness among the public for consumption of fruit which helps boosting the immune system.(KNS)