Srinagar, Nov 23: Director Horticulture Kashmir, (Mission Director, Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture) G R Mir on Wednesday said the department is committed to strengthening the post-harvest infrastructure in the valley and is exploring every possible opportunity to have the infrastructures like CA stores, processing units, etc.
The Director Horticulture visited Industrial Growth Centre Lassipora, Pulwama and Fruit Plant Nursery Bijhbehara Anantnag. He was accompanied by Deputy Director Horticulture and respective Chief Horticulture Officers. During his visit to IGC Lassipora, the director inspected various CA stores, grading lines and other post-harvest infrastructure and took stock of the functioning of these infrastructures.
Speaking on the occasion, the Mission Director stressed on use of mechanisation at all stages for enhancing work productivity rather than depending upon manual work. He advised the CA store owners to create grower friendly atmosphere and urged them to provide quality services to the growers.
He said currently the department has a CA storage capacity of around 2 lakh metric tonnes and enjoined upon the entrepreneurs to come forward and set up more CA stores and other post-harvest units as we still have low CA storage capacity when compared to the annual production which results in distress sales.
Earlier in the morning, the Director Horticulture visited Fruit Plant Nursery Bijhbehara, Anantnag. He took stock of various operations being carried out in the nursery and enjoined the staff to focus on the production of quality plant material which is the basic mandate of the department. He said the nursery should become self-sufficient and cater to the farming community of the adjoining areas.
