Srinagar, September 12 (KNS): Director Horticulture today held a meeting With CA store owners, Apple Growers, Fruit Growers Association to strength the Grid (Network) between each other at Shopian which is first district developed with cluster approach in apple.Director Horticulture Kashmir Ajaz Ahmad Bhat visited Shopian And held a detailed meeting with all Stake Holders of Horticulture industry.
The Director Horticulture gave a patiently hearing to all the members of Stake holders and Decided That The Cluster approach will be structured and the job of Cluster approach is to supervise from basic apple Cultivation to its sale. Further he added that the Department is using each and every effort and opportunities to enhance the Grip of CA Stores so that the Shelf life of Horticulture production will be Increased and it will add more Profit to this industries.
Director Horticulture Kashmir also said that under Mission of Central Sponsored scheme J&K, Shopian district will be the fist cluster approached district and 11 such clusters are sanctioned by Central Govt nation wide. while describing cluster approach add advance technology which will cater pre and post harvest. The pre harvest cater Crop from bloom to harvest and post Harvest will facilitate the marketing of the product at national and international level.Post harvest cluster approach will provide scientific methods from grading line to packing. Director Horticulture believes that introduction of cluster approach will bring revolution in Horticulture industry.
Further, He added that Honb’le PM is using his personal efforts to Boost Horticulture sector in union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. A large number of CA Store has recently been sanctioned of the EMC of central sponsored scheme. He exhorted CA Store owners to provide best services to the Orchardists during the coming season and provide demonstrations for growers free of cost. In addition department of horticulture will install a mini grading line in district shopian for demonstration purposes so that growers may adopt it so that enhance packaging and fruits to get best remuneration price.
In Kashmir valley, entrepreneurs have lately established sufficient number of CA stores having capacity of around 1.17 Lac Mts which is likely to reach 1.70 Lac by end of this year, however as per estimates around 4 lac MTs capacity is required. During the visit, the Director was accompanied by Chief Horticulture Officer Shopian and other Officers of the Department, including stake holders related with fruit trade.
After the meeting the director Kashmir visited CA stores, Mandi , orchard and Directs Owner Of CA stores To Provide best service to each apple grower as Govt provides incentives for the purpose of best service to apple growers.(KNS)