Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 11: Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture, Raman Bhalla today asked the officers of Horticulture Department to create massive awareness among the fruit and vegetable growers about the benefits of various schemes under horticulture sector.
This was stated by the Minister while interacting with the officers after inspecting nurseries established by Horticulture Department at Maralia and Bishnah towns, here today.
Member Legislative Assembly Ashwani Sharma, Director Horticulture (P&M) Showkat Ahmed Zargar, Director Horticulture Anil Kumar Sharma, Deputy Director (P&M) J P Sharma besides other senior officers of Horticulture Department accompanied the Minister.
Mr. Bhalla said Government was making all out efforts to provide latest facilities to the Fruit and Vegetable (F&V) traders. He informed that in this regard a comprehensive proposal has been prepared to established F&V mandis with cold stores.
The Minister said directions have also been issued to Horticulture Department to send groups of farmers to Himachal Pardesh, Punjab, Rajasthan and Delhi on Government expenses, to learn techniques and practices for increasing horticulture produce. He said Government has registered 70 private department nurseries under National Horticulture Board. He asked to make all the departmental nurseries fully functional within two months, adding that there was no constraint of funds.
Mr. Bhalla asked the officers to explore new markets with all infrastructural facilities to promote state’s horticulture produce across the country. He called upon the fruit and vegetables growers to avail the benefit of schemes like Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, National Mission on Micro Irrigation and Agriculture Technology Management Agency.
The Minister said Government endeavors to encourage farmers for plantation of high-quality fruit trees to fetch them optimum returns. He directed the officers to provide hi-yielding varieties of plants to the farmers He said attention is also required to be given on the quality of horticulture produce and its export to the terminal and satellite markets ensuring substantial returns to the fruit growers.
Maintaining that Jammu division has great potential of horticulture produce, Mr. Bhalla advised the farmers to switch over to cash crops like mangoes, amla, alo-vera, guava, lemon galgal, kimb, quince, olive and strawberry instead of traditional crops, adding that these crops have great demand in the market. He said Government also provides attractive incentives for promotion of horticulture and people should come in a big way to avail these benefits.
Later, the Minister and MLA also visited Bishnah F&V mandi and inspected the ongoing construction work on 61 shops, auction shed, dispensary, two toilet blocks, canteen, 11 merchandise shops, to be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 2.22 crore.
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