Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 3: Describing horticulture as one of the most viable income generating sectors for the farmers in India, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Radha Mohan Singh today said that Union Government was paying focused attention to further promote it and exploring possibilities to extend the activities in potential areas.
The Union Minister made these remarks on the occasion of inaugural function of ‘Rising Kashmir- 2017’ an exhibition that was organized by Sansa Foundation at SKICC. The objective for organizing the exhibition was to sensitize the people associated with the horticulture sector about the Central and State Governments policies and achievement.
The Union Minister further said that keeping in view the pressure on the agriculture land; the Government has developed a well-knit strategy for increasing production by using micro irrigation, high density plants, quality seeds, restoration of the orchids and shifting to diversification and new technologies.
In order to reduce post harvesting losses and support prices, Singh said that Union Government is stressing on efficient supply chain and marketing by connecting famers directly with marketing activities, mandies, evolving certain reforms and creating infrastructural facilities.
He said that for the development of horticulture sector and increasing horticulture production in country, the Union Government has started ‘Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture’ (MIDH). In all the districts of the Jammu & Kashmir State, North East and Himalayan states, central sponsored scheme MIDH is being implemented since 2001-02. Under MIDH, the funds to the tune of Rs. 51.52 crore including Central share have been earmarked for the Jammu and Kashmir for giving boost to the horticulture activities.
The Union Minister said that Jammu & Kashmir is known as an abode of fruits, dry fruits, saffron and honey across the world and termed the horticulture sector as back-bone of Jammu and Kashmir’s economy. He said the horticulture is the main source of earning livelihood for around 33 lakh population of the State. He said about 7 lakh families are directly or indirectly associated with horticulture sector in the Jammu and Kashmir and providing employment to over 23 lakh people.
Referring to apple and walnut production in India, the Union Minister said that Jammu and Kashmir is the main producer, and out of total production of apple and walnut in India, 66 percent of apple and 90 per cent of walnut is produced in J&K and a trend of increase in percentage share is seen. He said that the State is declared as agriculture export zone for ‘apple and walnut’.
The Minister said that saffron production in Kashmir is unmatched and with a Central Government share of Rs 315.99 crore and a share of Rs 84.22 crore of State Government, National Saffron Mission was started in 2010. He said that Union Government is providing financial support to the State Government from plantation to post harvesting support like processing, marketing etc. With the help of Food processing Ministry, a food processing plant has been established at Pulwama in Kashmir, said the Minister.
The Union Minister said that Prime Minister, Narendra Modi on November, 2015 had announced special package for Jammu and Kashmir, which includes Rs 500 crore for restoration of damaged horticulture sector. Under Prime Minister’s special package, a very high density plantation material and Jafari system is recommended which will further help the state in increasing apple production, the Minister maintained.
Later, Union Minister also addressed the Parliamentary Consultative Committee (PCC) meeting which was attended by over two dozen Parliamentarians from across the country.
The objective of the Committee was to provide a forum for informal discussion between Members of Parliament, Ministers and senior officers of concerned departments which provides an opportunity to Government to benefit from the advice and guidance of the Members of Parliament for framing the Policy and implementation of programmes and schemes for the benefit and welfare of farming community, said the Minister.
Earlier, Union Minister for Agriculture met the Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh.
The meeting was also attended by Ministers Bali Bhagat, Chander Parkash Ganga, Sham Choudhary, Sunil Sharma, Priya Sethi, VC Kissan Board D S Chib, and Member Parliament Shamsher Singh Manhas.
Dr Singh informed the Union Minister about the various initiatives being taken by the Government for ensuring the holistic and sustained development of the State. He also briefed him about the various measures being undertaken in the Agriculture and allied sectors.
The Union Minister on his arrival at Srinagar airport was received by State Agriculture Minister Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
