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| Centre assures assistance to J&K for introducing modern packaging for exporting horticulture produce: Zargar | | |
Srinagar August 28 – State government has sought liberal central assistance for introducing innovative alternate packaging for exporting horticulture produce in standard grading to catch hold of the market. It is proposed to replace traditional wooden shooks in phased manner by innovative plastic cartons manufactured by the renewed company of the country, the Reliance Industries Ltd. The plastic cartons are water proof and termite resistant, and would help to present horticulture produce in most attractive , presentable and remunerative form in the competitive market besides easing pressure on ecology and forests.
While seeking central assistance for this ambitious plan, the Minister for Agriculture and Cooperative, Mr. Abdul Aziz Zargar at an interactive meeting asked the Union Horticulture Commissioner, Dr M. L. Choudhary that switching over to alternate packaging has become imperative to withstand stiff market competition and the state level steering committee on Horticulture Technology Mission has approved to procure 10 lakh plastic and cardboard cartons during the current financial year.
Dr. Chaudhary was on two days exclusive visit to Kashmir valley, during which he took stock of marketing, pre-and-post harvest facilities in various districts.
The Director Horticulture Planning and Marketing Mr. Showkat Ahmed Zargar, Director Agricultutre Kashmir Mr. Ghulam Hyder Bhat, Director Horticulture Jammu Mr. H. S. Qasba, Managing Director J&K Horticulture Produce Marketing Corporation JKHPMC and concerned officers were present at the meeting.
The Minister said that modern packing cartons would be provided to the fruit growers on subsidized rates. The Minister also sought central assistance for upgrading basic infrastructure at various satellite fruit mandis and their expansion in phase-II. Central assistance was also sought for providing support prize to the saffron growers.
Dr. Chaudhary while assuring full support and assistance to the state for various proposed horticulture and agriculture promotion schemes, called for dovetailing state and centrally sponsored programmes for generating financial requirements. He said J&K State should explore adoption of Mizoram model of agriculture for area specific approach. He informed that the Union Agriculture Ministry proposes to adopt J&K for promotion of world famous saffron. He said diplomatic channels would be utilized for enhancing import and export of saffron. He also urged for focused attention of the agriculture experts and scientists of the state towards vegetable and floriculture development which have become profitable business activity in recent times. Dr. Choudhary also asked for exploring public-private partnership for promoting fruit processing industry in the state, for which raw material is abundantly available locally. He assured adequate central assistance to the state for upgradation of basic infrastructural facilities at the fruit mandis and expansion of fruit processing plant at Doobgah, Sopore run in public sector. He said centre has already released its share of Rs.7.32 crore to the state for setting up of satellite mandis. He emphasized on the concerned state officers to focus on micro fruit processing adding that at least one mini fruit processing unit should be set up in each district to ensure utilization of low grade cull fruits. |
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