Srinagar, Oct. 19: Financial Commissioner, Agriculture Production and Farmers’ Welfare Department, Atal Dullo inaugurated a ripening chamber and a 550 metric tonne cold storage for the benefit of farmers in Lal mandi here.
On the side-lines of the function while speaking to reporters, the Financial Commissioner, Agriculture Production and Farmers Welfare Department, saidthat the cold store would ensure that shelf life of perishable products will increase.
The senior government official stated that there is a dire need to increase the capacity of cold storage in the valley for the preservation of fruit.
“The government has outsourced this cold store, and it will be a revenue generation model for the government. A private party will run the affairs of the cold storage.”
A grower, Ali Mohammad at the Lalmandi, told Rising Kashmir that the cold store will increase their fruit rates, adding that they will sell their fruits at the appropriate time.
Mohammad said, “At present, rates of apples are very low and growers, as well as merchants, have suffered huge losses. This cold store, having a capacity of 550 MT, will provide a sign of relief to people.”
The cold store comes at a time when hundreds of fruit-laden are facing inconvenience on national highways. “This cold store will save the fruits from getting damaged,” Mohammad added.
For integrated development of horticulture, many projects have been processed and approved, and there are many projects which are still under consideration.
New apex committees, including the Doctor Mangla Rai Committee, will be established across the UT to benefit residents.
“This is really a great initiative by the government. This will benefit both the people and the government,” said Bilal Ahmad, a young fruit merchant.
The government should set up these cold stores in every district to provide better facilities to the people of the valley.
