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Jammu: The Kashmir division has immense potential for the growth of the horticulture sector, stated Director General Horticulture, Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, Ajaz Ahmad Bhat (KAS). Maharashtra is helping the cause as firms from Mumbai are engaged in promoting the horticulture sector in the UT.
Seven Star Fruits Pvt. Ltd., a sister concern of Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company (Mahyco Grow) from Maharashtra led its Director Aashish R. Barwale is lending a helping hand in making Jammu and Kashmir Atmanirbhar (self-reliant) in terms of Apple production.
He briefed the delegation on how to use of high-density plantation of apples which could be beneficial in not just uplifting the socio- economic status of the UT of Jammu and Kashmir but would also be a step in making India Atmanirbhar in apple production.
The Director General very poignantly stated that the division currently is in urgent need of fruit processing units to cater to a large amount of stock of apples that may not necessarily make their way to the market. However, the surplus stock has the potential to benefit not only the farmer but also the food industry in value-added forms like jam, juices, cider, dried fruit etc.
In the course of their tour, the delegation visited state of art Cold Aggregation Stores and High-Density apple orchards, an apple beverage plant and the valley’s first Trellis support system manufacturing unit in Pulwama district in the Kashmir division.
Ajaz Ahmad Bhat was on tour of Pulwama district with the teams from Policy Advocacy and Research Centre (PARC), Mumbai represented by Vikram Sankaranarayanan (Executive Director) and Ruchita Rane (Head-Network Development & Strategic Alliances).
The group also conducted a meeting at Pulwama which was attended by Mohammad Shafi, General Secretary, Industrial Association Lassipora, Majid Wafia, President CA Store Association, Izhan Javeed, CEO M/s Fruit Master Pvt. Ltd and representatives of Panchal Agro Fresh Pvt. Ltd, Al-noor Agri Fresh Ltd and a few progressive growers to understand the challenges they face in the supply chain and on account of policy matters. Means of new opportunities for enhancing market linkages were also discussed in the meeting.
Earlier, the J&K Government had signed an MoU with PARC, Mumbai regarding action- driven policies, strategic investments by potential investors in horticulture and industrial sectors in J&K. The Director General apprised the team of the present scenario regarding Horticulture in Kashmir and assured the group of all possible support for the upliftment of Horticulture Sector in the valley.
The delegation extended a commitment to strengthen the horticulture sector by driving investment towards the establishment of cold chain and value chain facilities and development of market linkages.
