Jammu, Mar 25: Jammu and Kashmir has registered 17.14 lakh MTs production of fresh fruits during the current financial year while an additional area of 4436 hectares have been brought under the ambit of horticulture during the past two years. This was stated by the Minister for Horticulture, Sham Lal Sharma, while replying on the Demand on Grants for departments under his charge. He said, for the convenience of growers visiting the national capital in connection with fruit trade, the department will construct additional accommodation of 40 double bedded rooms and 2 dormitories at a cost of Rs 4.15 crore at Delhi.  Similarly, the department has also constructed a Kissan Ghar at Jammu, with a capacity of 34 beds, the Minister maintained.
 Sharma said that a similar facility is contemplated at Kolkatta, where a piece of land has since been obtained from the West Bengal Government.
 . Sharma informed that a Cold Store has been established under private sector at Lassipora, Pulwama during the current year. Besides, the department has allotted 981 shops to the traders in the Fruit mandis at Charar-i-Sharief, Kulgam, Handwara and Sopur. The department is also planning to take up six more fruit and vegetable markets in Jammu division, five Apni mandies in the State, terminal markets in South Kashmir, Narwal, Parimpora and Sopur during the next financial year. Extension of Kissan Ghar at Delhi, two Cold Stores, one Kissan Ghar and a Cold Store under Rashtryia Krishi Vighyan Yojna (RKVY) at Kolkatta under Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode will also be taken up during 2010-11, the Minister added. To encourage the farmers to undertake flower cultivation to improve their economic condition, the Minister said that the marigold seeds have been distributed free of cost among the farmers, yielding Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000 revenue per kanal.

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