The Dry Fruit Association Kupwara today called on Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary, highlighting various issues regarding declining condition and severe challenges being faced by the walnut industry in Kashmir.
The Association led by its President, Haji Bhadur Khan, raised various issues like GST on walnuts, research and innovation in producing new high quality walnuts, lack of market infrastructure and permission to construct the second story in the complex.
The Deputy Chief Minister gave a patient hearing to the delegation, assuring that all their genuine grievances and issues will be resolved in a phased manner. He assured the delegation that technical support will be provided to the farmers for developing high-yielding and disease-resistant walnut varieties.
He asserted that Omar Abdullah government is committed to safeguard the interests of walnut growers and promote the consumption of locally grown walnuts. He assured the Association that government will take every possible step to support the walnut industry as it is livelihood for thousands of farmers in Kashmir.