SRINAGAR: The business of Horticulture Planning and Marketing(HP&M) has gone up from 1.82 lakh metric ton (LMT) in 1980-81 to 22.00 LMT in 2012-13 which in terms of the returns has mounted from Rs 400crore to Rs 4200 crore during the period.
This information was given to Minister for Horticulture, Housing and Culture Mr. Raman Bhalla while chairing the 2nd meeting of the Jammu and Kashmir State Agriculture Marketing Board (JKSAM) here at Horticulture Complex Rajbagh, today. The meeting of the Board has been conducted after a gap of five years.
Minister of State for Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Horticulture, PHE and Flood Control Mr. Nazir Ahmad Gurezi was also present in the meeting.
The Board gave nod for establishment of Mega Markets at Nagrota Jammu and at Jablipora near Bijbehara for which 276 kanals and 440 kanal landshave already been identified respectively. The Minister directed the concerned authorities to remove the bottlenecks, if any, immediately hampering in acquisition of land so that the work is started as early as possible.
The meeting was informed that NABARD has provided Rs 1.50 crore for creating infrastructure for Jablipora market, out of which Rs 50.00 lakhs have been incurred so far.
The Board approved constitution of a High Powered Committee under the chairmanship of Director, Horticulture Planning and Marketing which will look into various issues including issuance of licences of different functionaries in different Fruit and Vegetable Markets and others in the market area, regulation of market cess, licencing of wholesale traders etc. and submit its report to the concerned ministry for appropriate action. The other members of the High Powered Committee would include one each member from the Fruit and Vegetable Growers and Traders from Kashmir and Jammu and Directors of Horticulture Department of Kashmir and Jammu.
The Board also approved establishment of new Fruit Mandi at Shopian to be spread over on 1200 kanal of land out of which 600 kanal has been acquired by the Department. The Minister was informed that, after completion, this would be the world class Fruit Mandi with all modern facilities.
The Board also approved extension of lease deed to allotees in different markets, proposed layout of shops at Fruit and Vegetable Market Sopore, construction of KisanGhar/Guest House at Parimpora Fruit Mandi, enhancement of ground rent of shop sites in different fruit mandies, construction of canteens, review of price structure for allotment of shops in different categories and change of dimensions of shop sites at KupwaraMandi for dry fruit allotees.
Addressing the meeting, Mr. Bhalla said that the Horticulture is the backbone of the State’s economy adding that the mandate of the department is to facilitate the Fruit and Vegetable Traders. The Minister said that the department of Horticulture Planning and marketing has a pivotal role in marketing of the produce of farmers.
The Minister said that to facilitate the Horticulture trade, the government has constructed 3- Terminal markets at Sopore, Parimpora and Narwal, and set up mandies at Chararisharief, Kupwara, Handwara, Baramulla, Kulgam, Pulwama, Shopian, Batingoo and Udhampur which are fully functional at present. He said that the markets at Akhnoor, Kathua, Bishnah, Rajouri and Batote are about to commission whereas at ZaznaGanderbal, Tumlihal, Doda, Poonch, Samba, Tapyal and Chadwal are in the pipeline which will help both the growers and traders in a long way.
On the occasion, Mr Nazir Ahmad Gurezi said that it has been the endeavour of the government to do all possible help to both growers and traders of course with in its limited means.
He impressed upon the orchardists to rejuvenate old, senile orchards and steps to be made to increase production and quality of fruits which ultimately will make the farmers economically.
Among others Commissioner Secretary, Agriculture Production Department, Dr. AsgarSamoon, Director, Horticulture Planning and Marketing, Mr. Atta-ur-Rehman Natnoo, Directors Horticulture, Jammu and Kashmir, Director, Research, SKUAST, members of Fruit Growers and Traders Associations and Chief Agriculture Officers attended the meeting. |
