Srinagar, 23 Aug(KNS): The newly formed Horticulture and Agriculture committee of the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference convened its inaugural meeting at Nawa-e-Subha. Chaired by senior leader and North Zone President Javed Dar, the meeting took place to discuss matters pertaining to this sector.

Committee members including Muhammad Khalil Bandh, Qaisar Jamsheed Lone, Abdul Majeed Bhat Larmi, Saif-ud-Din Bhat, Showkat Hussain Ganaie, Mudassar Shahmiri, Khawaja Yaqoob Wani, Hilal Akbar Lone, Reyaz Khan, Irshad Kar & Sheikh Gayas Ud Din attended the meeting. 

Issues concerning the horticulture and agriculture sectors were discussed threadbare during the breadth of the meeting. The committee participants shared their valuable insights and recommendations during the meeting. They discussed various issues including the costly and subpar availability of fertilizers and pesticides, the elevated expenses linked to packaging materials and transportation, the competitive challenges posed by fruits from Himachal Pradesh and international sources like Iran. 

Other topics covered encompassed labelling and tagging fruits from other states, addressing the scarcity of high-density fruit trees to match the surging demands of cultivators, improving the insufficient irrigation and cold storage facilities, establishing crop insurance scheme, and setting up Kisan Call Centers and Krishi Vigyan Centers to offer timely information and guidance to farmers. Additionally, the discussion involved the lack of public awareness about novel schemes, programs, and effective management techniques such as pruning, grafting, spraying, and proper fertilization and irrigation methods in orchards.

The meeting also highlighted the importance of involving the Horticulture Department, Scientists, technicians, and gardeners at the village level, as well as the preservation of traditional planting approaches and methodologies.(KNS).