Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Nov 29: In order to strengthen the grid of CA stores in valley, Director Horticulture Kashmir Ajaz Ahmad Bhat is exploring every opportunity to have the infrastructure of CA stores developed across in J&K and best services are provided by the CA Stores to orchardists.
During various such visits to CA/Food Processing Units, the Joint Inspection Team headed by Director Horticulture Kashmir visited Baramulla, Parimpora and Industrial Estate Zainakote to inspect various units established under Post Harvest Management viz. C.A Stores/Food processing Units.
In Kashmir, entrepreneurs have established sufficient number of CA stores having capacity of around 1.17 Lac MTs which is likely to reach 1.70 Lac by end of this year, however as per estimates around 4 lac MTs capacity is required.
During the interaction with all the Stakeholders, Director Horticulture advised the entrepreneurs to help the orchardists by way of providing excellent services and charging reasonable rates. He also inspected various developmental works viz. pack houses, vermin compost units, tube/bore wells and other activities in the field as well as various departmental nurseries and issued strict instructions to Chief Horticulture Officer Baramulla to develop the mother orchardists of different varieties in these nurseries and multiply latest high quality root stock. He also took a detailed stock of high density plantation programme in the District.
Later, Director Horticulture alongwith team of officers inspected Ripening Chamber at Parimpora Srinagar and C.A Store/Food Processing project at Zainakote Srinagar.
During the interaction with the stakeholders, Director Horticulture emphasized on all stakeholders to rationalize the rates for the benefit of growers and to ensure the running of C.A Stores as per required SOPs.
He stressed to establish more units in Fruit Processing Sector, where Government provides every possible support and assured that the Department of Horticulture is committed for the welfare of the farming community.
