J&K government promises to boost horticulture yields

Jammu: Minister for Agriculture Production, Javid Dar, on Sunday, made it clear that the government is adamant to boost the horticulture, providing full support to farmers in Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking as chief guest at the felicitation ceremony of new office bearers of Jammu and Kashmir Processing & Integrated Cold Chain Association (JKPICCA) in Srinagar, Dar stressed that the present government is set to leave no stone unturned in the promotion of the horticulture sector.

He explained that 70-80% of the population in J&K depends on horticulture for their livelihood. The sector plays a key role in the region’s GDP, and the government has decided to expand the horticulture land, modernize old orchards, and provide new techniques to farmers, besides guaranteeing crop protection.

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The minister unveiled the challenges that farmers are facing, such as markets, transportation facilities, post-harvest waste, quality control, and high-quality pesticides. He said that all these issues will be removed one by one to make the sector more potent. “Our aim is to make Jammu and Kashmir a leading producer of horticultural products such as apples and walnuts, along with strengthening farmers’ economic conditions, Dar said.

Focus was given on new innovations and technologies to get high yields. The Minister explained that the horticulture sector has the potential to create job opportunities, especially for the locals. He further added that the horticulture sector is capable of generating employment opportunities and sustainable development. He promised talks will take place with stakeholders in the near future to ensure collective progress.

JKPICCA’s new president, Bashir Ahmad Naik, and other members were felicitated during the event. The minister urges the association to work collectively for the progress of horticulture to boost the income of the farmers. The curtain of the event was down with the release of a booklet on horticulture, highlighting the government’s focus on this sector.