Srinagar: Director Horticulture (P&M), Vishesh Mahajan today visited Shopian and Kulgam districts to review developmental work of Fruit & Vegetable Mandis
During the visit to Mega Fruit & Vegetable market Aglar Shopian, the Director was apprised of the issues confronting the traders in the mandi which needs immediate redressal by the department.
The fruit association raised the issue of allotment of shop sites in the mandi, to which the Director assured them that the issue will be resolved very soon.
The Director during the meeting asked for the demarcation of the mandi premises so that the land and property is safeguarded from illegal encroachments.
While reviewing the developmental works in the Mandi, the Director emphasized on a proper drainage system inside the mandi in order to encourage water recycling and rain harvesting.
Addressing the traders community, the Director advised them to start their business activity in the online mode for which he asked them to register their businesses on the E-nam portal as early as possible. He also highlighted the benefits of trading online and the vast field it opens for the growers as well as traders.
Moreover, the Director specially called upon the growers/traders to improve their fruit grading & packing so that they fetch better returns for the produce. For this, the Director Proposed to establish one grading line and a pack house at the old fruit & Vegetable Arhama mandi.
Later on Director Horticulture (P&M) visited Kulgam Mandi where he also had a detailed interaction with the farming community about their issues as well as a comprehensive review of activities going on in the Fruit & vegetable Mandi.
The Director was briefed about the departmental developmental activities in the district apart from the F&V Market which included the Apni Mandi Noonmai and acquisition of land for CA store at Brazloo.
The Director highlighted the importance of CA storage in today’s market driven economy and the effective role it has shown extending the post harvest life and quality of a wide range of fruits and vegetables.
He emphasized that avenues and opportunities should be exploited to develop CA store at Brazloo in the PP mode for the betterment of farming community.
The Director assured the Fruit Association members, demanding a hassle-free movement of fruit trucks on the national highway, that the matter stands already taken with the traffic police and they have assured of full cooperation in this regard.
Another demand raised by the growers in Kulgam was establishment of a new Fruit & vegetable Mandi at the identified 250 kanals of land by the department which already has been sent to the Divisional Commissioner for transfer.
The Director assured the growers/traders that the department is cognizant of their issues confronted by them and every effort is being taken to mitigate them.
