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| Private investors agree to venture in Horticulture industry | | Horticulture Development Board for promotion of fruit industry in offing: Zargar | |
Srinagar Aug, 10, – Government have decided to constitute an autonomous horticulture development board in the state to promote fruit industry on sustainable and modern lines. The board will guide the formulation of policies governing the development of horticulture industry in the state and identify short-term and long-term strategies to devise and approve major development programmes of horticulture sector.
This was stated by the Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Mr Abdul Aziz Zargar while speaking in one day convention of All Valley Fruit Growers and Dealers Association, held here at Fruit Mandi Parimpora today. The association is an apex body of about 35 registered and functional fruit grower’s associations of the valley,.
MLC Mr. Nizam-u-Din Bhat, Principal Secretary, Agricultural Production department, S.S. Sahni, Director Horticulture, Kashmir, Dr. G.S. Naqash, Director, Horticulture Planning and Marketing, Mr. Showkat Ahmad Zargar, Director Command Area, Mr. G.H. Shah and Presidents of various Fruit Growers Associations from all districts of the valley were present on the occasion.
The Minister said that the Board will also explore possibilities of financing intensive projects from external sources and financial institutions besides exploring opportunities in post-harvest sector and market mechanism for horticulture produce.
Responding to the demands of the Fruit Growers Associations, the Minister said that government would constitute a committee comprising of transport authority, various transport agencies and representatives of various fruit growers association of the valley to regulate and stabilize freight rate on transportation of fruits particularly during peak season. He said quality control act would be strengthened to ensure standard grading, packing, branding and labeling of fruits. He said banks would be asked to provide proportionate landing facilities to the Horticulture sector which has a credit requirement of over Rs. 371 crores annually.
The Minister disclosed that some leading financial institutions and private investors have shown their willingness to make heavy investments in the Horticulture industry in the state. These investors would help to develop basic infrastructure for post-harvest facilities and also establish marketing tie-ups with various terminal fruit markets of the country. He said government would consider a loan waiver scheme for drought and turmoil affected fruit growers and traders of the state to help them clear their loan outstanding.
Later the Minister went round the Mandi complex and took stock of the facilities for fruit traders there. |
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