Srinagar March 08 :(KNS)    Former Legislator and General Secretary of Apni Party Rafi Ahmad Mir today said that technological advancement can play key role in shaping the fruit industry of Kashmir. He said modernization in pre harvest management of apples can bring a revolution in the horticulutre sector.

Speaking on occasion of launch of novel fungicides by SWAL, Mir said that right use of quality agro-chemicals can result in savings of all energy inputs while enhancing quality of the fruit.

Mir urged the Lt. Governor to ensure Geographical Indications tags (GI Tags) for all premium and niche horticulture produce, branding and marketing of fruit crops.

He demanded that the government should take key stakeholders on board for increasing productivity through intervention of technology.

Mir said that the apple growers in Kashmir for years have been demanding implementation of a crop insurance scheme as changing climatic conditions has adversely affected the production, the government must consider this demand, he added.

While launching the products “MERLOT” & “JUNIPER”, Mir said the introduction of these quality products in Kashmir comes at a time when there are wide concerns among fruit growers and farmers in J&K about the quality of some of the existing agro chemicals in Kashmir, I hopeful that such the growers will put the technology to best use and rightly use the quality products to enhance productivity.

On the occasion, Avnindra Shah, Business Head and Satendra Singh, Zonal Head (SWAL – Chandigarh) and Ovais Bashir Janwari were also present.

Mir said that energy of young industry leaders like Ovais Bashir, can help in contributing to growth of apple industry in Kashmir.(KNS)