SRINAGAR: Director Horticulture Kashmir, who is also Mission Director, Integrated Development of Horticulture, G. R. Mir today visited Industrial Growth Centre (IGC) Lassipora, Pulwama and Fruit Plant Nursery Bijbehara Anantnag.
He was accompanied by Deputy Director Horticulture and respective Chief Horticulture Officers.
During his visit to IGC Lassipora, the Director inspected various CA stores, grading lines, and other post-harvest infrastructure and took stock of the functioning of these infrastructures.
Speaking on the occasion, the Mission Director said that the Department is committed to strengthening the post-harvest infrastructure in the valley and is exploring every possible opportunity to have the infrastructures like CA stores, Processing Units, etc.
He further stressed on use of mechanization at all stages for enhancing work productivity rather than depending upon manual work. He further advised CA Store owners to create grower friendly atmosphere and urged them to provide quality services to the growers.
He further added that currently we have a CA storage capacity of around 2.00 lakh metric tonnes and enjoined upon the entrepreneurs to come forward and set up more CA Stores and other post-harvest units as we still have low CA storage capacity when compared to the annual production which results in distress sales.
Earlier, Director Horticulture visited Fruit Plant Nursery Bijhbehara, Anantnag where he took stock of various operations being carried out in the nursery and enjoined upon the staff to focus on the production of quality plant material which is the basic mandate of the department.
He further added that the nursery should become self-sufficient and cater to the farming community of the adjoining areas.
