Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sept 5 : Stressing on the need for a comprehensive Mission Mode Programme for improvement of apple production and its marketing, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah today said that the concept of Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for strengthening the apple value is an encouraging initiative in this direction. He directed for converting the Vision Document in a viable and feasible Detailed Draft Report (DPR) taking care of all aspects and financial implications.
The Chief Minister said the presentation on SPV made by the NABARD is a welcome step towards addressing the issues of improving production, productivity and marketing of apple on remunerative prices. He said the document needed to be converted into a comprehensive DPR so that it is launched in the State taking all stakeholders of the trade and production on board.
Chairing a high level meeting to receive the brief on various programmes aimed at horticulture and agriculture development, the Chief Minister said that besides various schemes under implementation in the State to give boost to farm production and enhance production and marketing of horticulture produce, the concept of SPV for apple would be yet another effective measure to achieve the desired results in the development of horticulture sector.
Omar Abdullah laid stress on North-South Cold Chain Link in Kashmir Valley, adding that investors need to be encouraged and supported to establish Controlled Atmosphere Stores in industrial estates and fruit markets in Sopore, Baramulla, Rafiabad and other places to provide facility to the fruit growers to store their fruit for timely marketing.
The Chief Minister also underlined the importance of adopting modern methods to enhance the per hectare production of apple by rejuvenating old orchards and providing high-density and disease resistant planting material to the horticulturists.
The meeting among others was attended by Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Hassan Mir, Minister for Horticulture, Raman Bhalla, Chief Secretary, Mohammad Iqbal Khandey, Principal Secretary Planning and Development, B. R. Sharma, Principal Secretary Finance, B. B. Vyas, Commissioner Secretary Agriculture, Asgar Samoon, representatives of NABARD and SKUAST, Director Horticulture P&M, Showkat Ahhmad Zargar, Heads of the Departments of Horticulture, Agriculture, SIDCO, J&K Horticulture Produce Marketing Corporation and various senior officers.
In a PowerPoint presentation, Commissioner Secretary Agriculture, Asgar Samoon presented the present status of horticulture and agriculture scenario in the State and gave resume of the schemes and programmes in pipeline to catapult these sectors and improve the lot of farmers and growers.
The representatives of SKUAST and NABARD also made presentation in the meeting on improvement of root stock for high-density plantation and SPV to address horticulture in a holistic and comprehensive manner.
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