Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir’s Department of Horticulture, in collaboration with Controlled Atmosphere (CA) Storage owners Association organized a buyer and seller meet under the banner ‘Sunday Fruit Show/Sale’ in the premises of Directorate of Horticulture.
The meet witnessed various kinds of dry and fresh fruits displayed on excellent stalls.
The event was inaugurated by Principal Secretary to Government, Horticulture Department, IAS, Navin Kumar Choudhary.
The idea of organizing the event was conceived by Director Horticulture Kashmir Ajaz Ahmad Bhat, and the practical shape was given with the collaboration of the member of C.A. Storage Association.
In the event, a large number of people participated and around twenty stalls were established. On the occasion, models of high-density apple plantation along with the trellis system were also displayed by private entrepreneurs to create awareness among the farmers.
Navin Kumar Choudhary inspected all the stalls and in his brief address assured every possible help to orchardists and stakeholders of the apple industry.
Talking to media persons Choudhary said that all the growers and traders got an opportunity to exhibit their products and emphasized on good packaging and grading of these fruit products in buyer and seller meet.
“We will make this buyer seller meet online, virtual meet and will invite traders from outside Kashmir so that they would see different varieties of these fruits,” he said.
Choudhary maintained that the government is committed to provide all possible assistance to the farmers in order to boost the horticulture production in Jammu and Kashmir. He asked the farmers to switch to High Density cropping from traditional one as it will boost the productivity as well as generate more income for them.
The Principal Secretary exhorted upon the youth to take benefits of the schemes launched by the government of India for improving entrepreneurship culture and asked them to become job providers instead of job seekers.
Choudhary added that the department will be very soon setting up Walnut Nurseries to increase walnut production on scientific lines and boost its export.
President, C.A. Storage unit, Majid Wafai, also addressed the gathering and lauded the efforts of the Department. Vice Chairperson of Khadi and village Industry Board, Dr Hina Bhat, also graced the function and distributed appreciation letters among the participants and other stakeholders.
Member of Parliament and former chief minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah also made a surprise visit in the event, and inspected fruit stalls displayed in the Directorate premises.
Talking to media persons, Abdullah urged J&K administration for maximum help to the fruit sellers and fruit growers and emphasized on the export of these fruits.
“Government should facilitate these fruit sellers and growers for exporting these fruits to gulf countries like Kuwait, U.A.E, Saudi Arabia, Qatar as they are consuming large amounts of fruits in these countries,” he said.