Adopt new marketing tools for good returns: Director Horticulture to growers

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 7: Director Horticulture (P&M) Vishesh Mahajan visited Ganderbal district where he reviewed the departmental activities as well took the stock of operationalisation of the Zazna Mandi.
The Director had a detailed exchange of ideas with the local growers and traders about their issues and the departmental support.
Some of the issues raised by the growers were attended by the Director who announced that the possession letters for shop sites in the Zazna Mandi will be handed over very soon so that the mandi can be operationalised at the earliest. Earlier the allotted land was properly demarcated.
Director impressed upon the allottees to start the construction of the shop sites as early as possible and complete it within the next three months.
During the interactions, the growers brought up some facts which included that since the district was involved in a number of horticulture products and in near future the Mandi space may definitely fall short of the requirements. Thus the growers requested that the state land adjacent to the mandi may be included into the present Mandi land so that a futuristic problem could be taken care of. The Director in this direction promised to take up the matter with higher ups at the earliest.
Director while speaking to the audience which consisted of members of Fruit Associations, members of cooperative society, growers and traders and FPOs, said that he was aware of the issues being faced by the community and assured them that the department is trying its utmost to ease their problems. He asked them to pay more attention on the grading of their fruits.
On the issue of non availability of the electricity in the Mandi premises, the Director asked the department’s engineering wing to get in touch with the Power Development Department and process for the same may be initiated so that the issue is resolved in next 15 days.
He alongwith officers who included Deputy Directors, Assistant Directors, Executive Engineer and other officials visited the apple and cherry orchards where he impressed upon the growers to adopt new marketing tools that would ensure good returns for your produce.