Srinagar, July 27: Jammu and Kashmir Government today said it would upgrade infrastructure and transport facilities to make fruit growers in the state self reliant. Minister for Health, Horticulture and Floriculture Sham Lal Sharma at a meeting with fruit growers and traders of the state said that high-tech facilities like cold storage, proper marketing would be upgraded.
Chairman of All Valley Fruit Association M Y Dar and representatives of various areas were present in the meeting. The fruit growers apprised the Minister of problems faced by them in marketing their produce in other parts of the country.
They also suggested measures to improve and streamline the existing set up, which included upgrade of infrastructure so that farmers become self-reliant. Sharma said the government is planning to develop three hi-tech ”mandis” (markets) including Sopore mandi, Parimpora mandi and Narwal mandi with necessary back-up of cold storage and other allied facilities for the traders so that they can compete with other states.
The minister said he had already spoken with his counterparts in Uttaranchal and Himachal Pradesh and trying to get relaxation in the existing guidelines of Horticulture Technology Mission and other schemes keeping in view the topography and other conditions of the hilly states. The matter will be taken up with the Union Agriculture Minister for necessary amendments in the parameters laid down in these centrally sponsored schemes, he said.
—-Agencies