Out of 24 lakh metric tons of state’s fruit production in 2018, Kashmir produced 21 lakh metric tons of fruit, with majority of share from apple crop.
According to a statement, this was stated in a reviewmeeting of horticulture department chaired by the secretary horticulture,Manzoor ahmad Lone on Friday here.
During the meeting director horticulture, Kashmir, AjazAhmad Bhat presented an overview of the different central and state schemes andcomponent wise progress recorded in the last financial year.
Director also saidthat horticulture is one of the largest employment generating sectors of the state as one hectare of orchardgenerates about 400 man-days of work a year and also helps other sectors liketransport, pesticides, fertilizers, marketing, etc to grow. He informed that24.30 lakh metric tons of fruit production has been recorded during 2018 in thestate out of which 21.61 lakh metric tons were produced in Kashmir division.
Director also informed that work on ‘Centre of Excellencefor Horticulre’ at Zawoora, Srinagar isgoing on at full pace and plantation of imported elite plant material shall becompleted in the current month of April. The Centre of Excellence shall serveas a demonstration cum training centre for the orchardists of the Valley, besidesfulfilling the need of plant material of high density apple, walnut, cherry,apricot, plum, pear etc.
District-wise detail of expenditure on various centrally aswell as State sponsored schemes was presented and Director Horticultureinformed that overall expenditure level is about 80 percent.
Secretary Horticulture directed the horticulture departmentto complete the left out work of high density plantation in district Kupwara,Pulwama immediately.
Secretary also instructed to frame a committee with expertsfrom horticulture department and the horticulture planning and marketingdepartment to work the exact data of production based on the exports figuresrecorded at Lakhanpure Toll Plaza and local consumption of various fruits.