SRINAGAR: A daylong UT Level Krishi Mela Event cum Cluster Promotion Fair was organized by National Horticulture Board and JKHPMC in district Shopian.
The Mela was organized under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, GoI’s initiative to designate district Shopian as an ‘Apple Cluster’ under its Cluster Development Programme.
The Mela was aimed at sensitizing the stakeholders of the Horticulture sector of the district about the benefits of the programme.
The Mela was inaugurated by DC Shopian, Sachin Kumar Vaishya in presence of Managing Director, JKHPMC, Shafat Sultan.
Speaking on the occasion, DC Shopian expressed satisfaction over the district being designated as an ‘Apple Cluster’ district under CDP and hoped that the various interventions under the programme like GI tagging and digital marketing will make the Shopian apple globally competitive.
MD, JKHPMC while giving a detailed overview of CDP explained that the programme envisages end to end pre-production, post production & value addition and marketing components estimated to cost Rs 268 crores, out of which the project would attract a central funding of 100 crore in its span of four year implementation.
The programme was attended by representatives of NHB, GT, APEDA, PARC, CITH, Agriculture Department, Horticulture Production Department, Horticulture (Plg.& Mktg.), and connected stakeholders of the horticulture industry of the district including CA Store owners, Mandi association, FPOs, SHGs etc. who gave detailed presentations in their respective areas for the implementation of CDP in Shopian during the technical session.
A Brochure on CDP for Shopian Cluster was also released by the dignitaries after the inaugural session.
In the backdrop of the district being developed by the central Agriculture ministry, as ‘Apple Cluster’, the participants connected with the horticulture sector were hopeful that implementation of CDP in the district would be a game changer for the Shopian apple which is known for its unique quality and taste.

KR Desk