SRINAGAR: Joint Inspection Team (JIT) headed by the Director Horticulture Kashmir G.R. Mir visited the Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian and Srinagar districts in the last three days.

The team inspected seven postharvest units which include 4 CA Stores, 2 Food Processing units and a Ripening Chamber. The facilities are located at IGC Lassipora, Pulwama, Aglar Shpian, Industrial Estate Khanmoh, Srinagar and a private facility in Anantnag.

Speaking on the occasion, the Director said that the department is committed to strengthen the postharvest infrastructure in Kashmir and is exploring every possible opportunity to have infrastructures like CA stores, Processing Units etc. developed across the valley so that best services are provided by these units to the farming community.

He enjoined upon the entrepreneurs to come forward and invest to set up the CA Stores and other post-harvest units so that solid post-harvest management chain is developed. He added that the department is committed to provide every possible assistance in setting up such facilities.

The Director said that improved post-harvest infrastructure like CA Stores will help in keeping the Kashmiri apple in the market round the year and farmers will get good returns for their produce. “Switching over to Hi-Density Plantation will be more effective if we have optimum post-harvest infrastructure,” he said.

While interacting with the CA Stores owners and other entrepreneurs, he impressed upon them to create grower friendly atmosphere and urged them to provide quality services to public in general and farmers in particular. During these inspections, he was accompanied by Joint Director Horticulture Kashmir, CCI, Srinagar, Chief Horticulture Officer concerned, Ex. Engineer Mechanical, Anantnag Ex. Engineer Horticulture Planning and Marketing, representative from SKUAST-K, Tehsildars of concerned area, and representatives from financial institutions.

The Director also inspected Centre of Excellence Zawoora, Fruit Plant Nursery Bijbehara, and Fruit Plant Nursery Ketritang and took stock of ongoing works.

KR Desk