Srinagar: Director Horticulture Kashmir, Ajaz Ahmad Bhat, Saturday conducted an extensive tour of South Kashmir to assess the damage caused to the orchards due high velocity winds that affected the area the previous day.
During the visit, the Director was accompanied by various Officers of the Department. Director visited the prominent fruit growing belts of the area, particularly high density plantations. However, no significant damage to the fruit crops was reported from the area. During the visit, the Director stressed upon the field officers to keep close liaison with orchardists and emphasized on regular checking and sampling of pesticides so as to keep a check on sub-standard and spurious pesticides.
Later, the Director held a meeting in his office chamber with representatives of various Fruit Grower Associations and Refrigerated Van/Truck Transport Associations for fixing the transport fare for perishable fruits to be transported out of the valley to different Mandis of the country.

KR Desk