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| Tremendous horti potential in Jammu region: Sham | | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, FEBRUARY 02 – Outlining the tremendous potential of Jammu region in Horticulture and Floriculture, Minister for Health, Horticulture and Floriculture, Mr. Sham Lal has said that these sectors determine efficient land use for generating higher returns, promote eco-friendly environment and provide better employment opportunities for our youth. He asked the farmers involved in the sectors to learn the finer aspects of proper marketing so that their produce reaches high-end markets outside the country, giving them greater economic returns.
The Minister said this while taking a review meeting of Horticulture and Floriculture departments of Jammu region, here today.
Principal Secretary, Agriculture Production, Mrs. Sonali Kumar, Director Horticulture, Jammu, Mr. J. L. Sharma, Managing Director, Horticulture, Planning and Marketing, Mr. Showkat Ahmad Mir, Director, Floriculture, Jammu, Mr. K. K. Sharma and other senior officers of both the departments attended the meeting.
The Minister was informed that 1.650 lakh MT of fruit production has been registered in Jammu division, as against production of 1.34 lakh MT during last year.
Asking people to cultivate fruits like mango, citrus, ber, aonla, guava, litchi and loquat in subtropical areas and olive, peanut and kiwi in intermediate zones, the Minister said that these offer greater returns in the market. Similarly, he said that farmers in temperate areas who grow apple, pear, plum, apricot and walnut should also cultivate cash crops and other high value-low volume horticultural crops like strawberry because of more lucrative returns.
Regarding Floriculture, the Minister said that the success stories of European countries like Holland and France should be emulated as in these two countries, over 70% of the economy directly depends on floriculture. Mr. Sham again emphasized proper marketing of floral products in view of its low shelf-life. Inviting young entrepreneurs with agricultural temperament to invest in this sector, the Minister said that J&K has great potential in MAPs (Medicinal and Aromatic Plants) as this sector has been kept in the Thrust Area in the State's Industrial Policy 2004-15. He said that the entrepreneurs who set up industry in the floriculture sector can avail various incentives which will help them to establish viable industry.
Later, referring to the demands raised by the officers of Horticulture and Floriculture departments, Mr. Sharma said that their genuine demands would be looked into and considered on priority.
Principal Secretary, Agriculture Production, Mrs. Sonali Kumar asked the officers of both the departments to make proper use of their professional and technical skills in bringing revolution in these two sectors. She informed the Minister that farmers are being trained in various agricultural skills by deputing them for training to various States of the country.
Earlier, Director, Horticulture, Jammu, Mr. J. L. Sharma and Managing Director, Horticulture, Planning and Marketing, Mr. Showkat Ahmad Mir gave a resume of the achievements registered by the departments during last financial year.
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