Appreciating the state’s fruit growers, Advisor to Governor, Khurshid Ahmed Ganai, on Thursday said the horticulture sector has always been at the forefront of sustaining and uplifting of the J&K’s economy.
According to an official spokesperson, Ganai said this in his meeting with representatives of New Kashmir Fruit Association, Fruit Complex Parimpora, at a public hearing held here at J&K Governor’s Grievance Cell at Church Lane, Sonwar.
During the public hearing, more than 60 delegations and many individuals called on the Advisor to apprise him with their grievances and issues.
In his interaction with the fruit association representatives, the Advisor said the agriculture sector, especially horticulture, has always acted as a boon for the State’s economy, and Government is taking various initiatives to further improve the prospects of increasing revenue for people affiliated with the trade.
In their meeting, the advisor was informed that around 500 trucks ferry valley fruit, primarily apple to various parts of Country and outside, including Nepal and Bangladesh from September till October. The delegation added that in between October and November the number of trucks ferrying the fruit from Valley goes up to 1500 a day.
It was revealed that around 500-1300 boxes are transported in each truck, depending upon the size of the truck.
Urging for getting away with convey system, where trucks are halted for two to three days on the national highway, the representatives informed the advisor that the unwanted halt causes great loss to their produce, as the fallen fruit has a very limited shelf life.
While the advisor was requested to direct the traffic authorities to allow the fruit carrying trucks without any halt, the representatives also suggested that if the Government would do some repair work on Mughal Road, the trucks from South Kashmir, especially Sopore could take that route which would lessen the burden on the national highway.
The advisor assured that he would take up the matter with the concerned department and ensure that the fruit growers or the people affiliated with the trade do not incur any major loses, at least not during transportation.