Mr. G R Mir, Director Horticulture Kashmir (Mission Director, Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture), stated that the department is committed to strengthening the valley’s post-harvest infrastructure and is evaluating every opportunity to acquire CA stores, processing units, and other infrastructures.
He also went to the Fruit Plant Nursery, the Industrial Growth Centre, and the Industrial Growth Centre Lassipora. He was accompanied by the respective Chief Horticulture Officers and the Deputy Director of Horticulture. During his visit to IGC Lassipora, the chief investigated different CA stores, reviewing lines and other post-harvest framework and considered the working of these foundations.
Rather than relying on manual labor, the Mission Director emphasized the importance of using mechanization at all stages to increase work productivity. He urged the owners of CA stores to create an environment that is welcoming to growers and to offer high-quality services to growers.
The department currently has a CA storage capacity of approximately 2 lakh metric tons and urged entrepreneurs to establish additional CA stores and post-harvest units because there is still low CA storage capacity in comparison to annual production, which results in distress sales.
The Director of Horticulture paid a visit to the Fruit Plant Nursery in Bijhbehara, Anantnag, earlier in the morning. He reviewed the nursery’s various operations and urged the staff to concentrate on the department’s primary goal of producing high-quality plant material. He stated that the nursery should become self-sufficient and serve the surrounding farming community.
