Srinagar, Apr 20: The Viksit Bharat Ambassador Programme, held today at the Radisson Collection in Rajbagh, Srinagar, witnessed a significant development for the Horticulture Industry in Jammu and Kashmir. Chaired by Hardeep Suri, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the event aimed to initiate dialogue on the economic reconstruction of the region.
Amidst a gathering of esteemed dignitaries, Bashir Ahmad Basheer, Chairman of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union, leveraged his role as Chairman and President to present a comprehensive charter of demands. These demands were meticulously crafted to propel the horticulture industry in the J&K UT, a sector that constitutes a substantial portion of the national economy.
The demands tabled during the event included a call for the imposition of a 100% import duty on imported apples to safeguard the interests of local horticulturists. Basheer advocated for the implementation of a Crop Insurance Scheme to provide crucial relief to fruit growers during times of national disasters. Additionally, suggestions were put forth for the introduction of a Market Intervention Scheme for Grade “C” apples, alongside requests for reductions in GST rates on vital horticulture inputs and subsidies on essential packaging materials.
Moreover, proposals were made for the establishment of outlets offering quality pesticides to combat diseases in fruit orchards, and the allocation of exclusive funds for the promotion of the horticulture sector. Other recommendations spanned the treatment of Tree Spray Oil as an agricultural product, the creation of a separate Horticulture Estate, and the improvement of road connectivity, particularly along the Mughal Road. The event concluded on a resounding note, with a unanimous call to action to address these demands. The imperative was underscored to bolster the horticulture sector, thereby catalyzing economic growth in Jammu and Kashmir.