SRINAGAR, AUGUST 10: Minister of State for Horticulture, Education & Culture, Ms Priya Sethi, chaired a meeting at the Civil Secretariat today to review the functioning of the Horticulture Department.
Secretary, Horticulture, M H Malik, Director Horticulture (P&M), Kashmir, Rafeeq A Hakeem, Director Horticulture, Kashmir, P K Sharma, MD JKHPMC, Syed Rafeeq Ahmad, besides Chief Horticulture Officers of Kashmir division were present on the occasion.
Appreciating the efforts of the Horticulture Department in promoting J&K as a premier fruit-producing destination, the Minister called for coordinated efforts in organizing awareness camps and programmes for fruit growers and budding entrepreneurs under the aegis of various departmental schemes. She also stressed upon preparing the youth under Skill Development initiatives.
Earlier, Secretary Horticulture gave a detailed presentation about the working of the department and the important issues confronting the Department, which has been recently created as independent Administrative Department.
Director Horticulture (P&M) informed the meeting that around 70-80 trucks laden with apples and other fruit are proceeding to Delhi on a daily basis, besides 593 trucks of both fresh and dry fruit have already moved to the union capital between August 1 and 8, 2016. However, after 15 September, the requirement of trucks for transportation of apples from Mandis would be 500-600 trucks per day.
Briefing the Minister about new technical interventions, Director Horticulture, Kashmir said that high-density apple plants have been imported and stored after inspection in CA conditions.
The Minister was given a detailed account of the releases and authorization under Capex Budget and proposal submitted under MIDH and other Centrally-sponsored schemes. She was informed that PMDP Plan for Rs 500 crore for restoration of flood-affected areas, development of horticulture and upgradation of Mandis at Jammu & Kashmir is under active consideration of the Central Government.
The Minister emphasized the need for one-time investment for upgradation of Mandis at Sopore, Parimpora and Narwal besides, making functional Apni Mandis, especially in Jammu Division
During the meeting, the Minister also reviewed the progress of Mango and Apple Villages, which are coming up at Jammu & Kashmir divisions. She expressed satisfaction over the progress achieved in Mango village and directed efforts be made for further value addition through fruit processing by involving women entrepreneurs. Regarding setting up of an Apple village in Anantnag, the Minister called for concerted efforts towards its establishment without any further delay.
She was also informed about the two Centres of Excellence under MIDH, one each at Jammu and Kashmir, and the same have already been incorporated in the Action Plan for which global tenders shall be floated soon.
Secretary Horticulture informed the chair that Whatsapp Groups under the name of “Horticare” have been created and departmental website at the Secretariat level is under preparation, which will have linkages with all directorates. The application, he said will help in coordinating the efforts of various wings of the Department and provide a platform to field offices, farmers and growers for updating themselves about various schemes and technical knowhow.
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