Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Nov 29: Welcoming the prospects of private financial and technological investment in establishing network of cold chain infrastructure, refrigerated transportation and post-harvest management, in Jammu and Kashmir, the Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Hassan Mir today said that the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, as a matter of policy, is considering involving private players in the Agriculture sector.
Speaking in the inaugural session of the 2-day International Conference-cum-Exhibition “India Farm 2 Fork” organised by Progress Harmony Development (PHD), Chamber of Commerce and Industry, New Delhi, the State Agriculture Minister presented the vision of J&K in the area of Agriculture and Food sector.
The Minister said that Jammu and Kashmir has a vast resource base for production of different kinds of food items from Agriculture, Horticulture, Sheep and Animal Husbandry sectors. He said inspite of varied agriculture products having huge market potential, the state suffers from transportation constraints particularly in mountainous and inaccessible areas, absence of organized collection centres and storage facilities.
Mir said due to high cost of transportation and higher toll duties, the farmers of the State find it difficult to sustain competition with farmers of plains in other states. Therefore, the State is promoting formation of agri-producer organizations to provide appropriate assistance in developing collection centers, improved storage facilities and transportation which are pre-requisite for growth of this sector.
The Minister said Government of the State, as a matter of policy, is considering involving private players for interventions in establishment of Agri-based Skill Development and Training Institutions to broad base and harness genuinely fair amount of profits in agriculture sector.
Mr Mir said that Jammu and Kashmir Government would like to support private investors to venture into the areas such as seed production of crops, vegetables; fabrication of machinery and equipment suited for agri-production, post-harvest management and marketing, providing sale and services in developing micro-irrigation facilities; developing and installation of Protected Cultivation structures for high value vegetables, flowers, and other crops.
The Minister said that the farming population of the State especially the habitats of Milk producers are located in far off and mountainous areas where transportation is difficult and time consuming. This often results in product deterioration and diminished returns to farmers/milk producers. Participation of Private players in refrigerated transportation of milk and milk products will be of immense help to the milk producers.
The Minister said that State Government is implementing various Centrally Sponsored Schemes and would like to avail adequate assistance under “National Mission on Food Processing” which addresses most of the issues related to employment generation and skill development.
The Agriculture Minister said that emancipation of agriculture sector lies in productivity enhancement through adoption of improved farm practices and diversification in the rural non-farm sector. Awareness and popularization of modern farm practices like high quality inputs, mechanization, promoting water use efficiency in irrigation, sustainability through organic farming, integrated pest and nutrient management, besides other post-harvest Management and market linkages is to be the focus area.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel