Sopore Dec 24: Former Chief Minister and DPAP Chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad on Sunday promised that he will provide subsidized pesticides to apple growers of Jammu and Kashmir once he is back to power since supporting farmers is very important to give flip to the local economy.

Azad said that if we have to focus on organic economic growth, we need to support the farmers and ensure they are stress free and have pesticides and other facilities available at genuine rates since they are the engine of our economy which is predominantly agrarian based.

“I believe as long as our farmers are not happy, the economy of Jammu and Kashmir won’t grow. Over 60 per cent population is directly or indirectly depending on horticulture sector and shares a substantial revenue to keep our economy growing,” he said while addressing a public rally at apple rich Dangerpora, in North Kashmir. Azad said alongside the subsidized pesticides, the farmers also need convenient transportation facility to ensure on timely basis the goods could reach mandis and fetch the deserving price. He said road convenience for the fruit laden trucks would be his priority once people vote his party to power. However, the former chief minister focussed on enhanced road and train connectivity in the UT especially Sopore town which houses the second largest fruit mandi of Asia. “ Maximum share of fruit from Kashmir is sold in Sopore Mandi and remain busy most part of the year

So it needs to have enhanced connectivity. I will pitch for immediate start of train services besides the hassle free road services for fruit laden trucks,” he said. For boosting the agrarian economy of the UT, he promised that taxes would be substantially reduced. “ I want the people of Jammu and Kashmir to smile and see them progressing and prospering economically. I will do whatever I can to fullfill this dream, with no insecurity & fear ” he said. Azad, however condemned the growing terror attacks in J&K and said that such attacks only consume innocent human lives. He said terrorism needs to be dealt with iron fist so that innocent people can have a sigh of relief.

Among others who were present in the public meeting were G.M.Saroori, Mohd Amin Bhatt Provincial President, Ch Haroon Khatana Gen Secretary, Gulzar Wani Zonal President, Shoaib Nabi Lone Distt President, Salman Nizami Chief Spokesperson, Shafiq Shabnam Provincial Gen Secretary, Irshad Tantray Gen Secretary Zone, Sajjad Ahmed Dar, Adv Saleem Parray Spokesperson, Haji Musadiq VP Province, Amir Rasool Provincial GS, Tasleema Akthar, Ab Ahad yatoo, Arif Maqbool, Shubi Jaan and others.(KNS)