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, dir inspected various CA stores, grading lines and other post-harvest infrastructure and took stock of functioning of these infrastructures.
Speaking on the occasion, the Mission Director said that the Department is committed to strengthen 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 the 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 CA storage capacity of around 2.00 lakh metric tonne and enjoined upon the entrepreneurs to come forward and set up more CA Store 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 nursery and enjoined upon the staff to focus on 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 the farming community of the adjoining areas.