Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 30: To facilitate the farmers of Jammu Division, Principal Secretary, Agriculture Production Department, Navin Kumar Choudhary today handed over four Refrigerated Vans of 9 MTs capacity each to the Chief Agriculture Officers of Jammu, Kathua, Doda and Udhampur Districts at Krishi Bhawan, Talab Tillo here.
Speaking on the occasion, Principal Secretary said that this initiative was taken up by the Agriculture Production Department to safeguard the interest of farming community in which provision of four Refrigerated Vans was kept under Capital Expenditure. These Refrigerated Vans will be utilized to carry the perishable agricultural produce of the farmers to markets / mandies adding that soon a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in this regard will be signed with FPOs/ FIGs/CIGs under PPP Mode.
It was apprised that maintaining the ideal temperature is a major factor in protecting the perishable produce against quality loss during transportation and storage. These vehicles are fixed with insulated body equipped with active refrigeration designed for environment controlled carriage of products. The objective of these vans is to maintain quality and prolong the shelf life of the perishable agricultural produce by keeping the temperature at a point where metabolic rate is minimum.
Director Agriculture, Inder Jeet informed that area under vegetables is expanding in non-traditional areas and there is surging demand of fresh vegetables throughout the year which offers opportunities for the farmers to market their produce and get enhanced income. These Refrigerated Vans will facilitate the distant marketing of vegetables and other agriculture products without deterioration of their quality.
Director Animal Husbandry, Vivek Sharma, Managing Director, J&K Agro Industries Development Corporation, Bhawani Rakwal, Director CAD, Smita Sethi, Director Agriculture, Jammu, Inder Jeet, Director Horticulture, Ram Sevak, Joint Director Agriculture (Inputs), Anil Nargotra, Joint Director Agriculture (Extension), Daisy Bhan, Deputy Director (Central), K. K. Sharma and Chief Agriculture Officers, Jammu, Kathua, Udhampur, Doda were present on the occasion besides other senior officers.
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