Tshere are only a handful of activities in Kashmir that havea traditional depth, and also an everlasting scope. We often talk about, inthis regard, the potential of tourism sector to fetch us good money. Weconsistently talk about how steps should be taken to improve the face of thevalley so that more people are attracted to it.
There is always a geared up sense of alertness when it comesto tourism. And this all is required. No matter how deep the problems are inany particular sector it is important to talk about solving them, because if westop doing that, these problems will overtime settle as a normal. That is whatstrikes the ultimate doom to any economic activity. Apart from tourism, and maybe handicrafts, there is a thing called horticulture.
This sector is actually the backbone of our economy. Ifright kind of focus is ensured, it can lift our overall economy, and infuselife to our markets. Horticulture is something that is spread over almost theentire length and breadth of the valley. In fact if new techniques, implements,and material is used, those areas that are not traditionally known forhorticulture can grow good fruit. In this regard, unfortunately, not much isbeing done.
There are many areas where we are lagging behind. Fromfarming to packing, from storing to transporting and finally marketing, ourhorticulture is beset with multiple problems. It requires a grand initiative toset the things right.
One of the areas of concern is the use of pesticides. Whenwe have the apprehensions of spurious pesticides getting into the market, it issomething we need to worry about. In this regard it is good that the concernedofficials come forward and take the necessary action.
If the Director horticulture, Kashmir, impresses upon theconcerned officers to keep strict watch on the pesticide traders to curb thepractices of selling spurious and substandard pesticides, it can only beappreciated. What needs to be watched for is how much this is translated intoaction and how as per the provisions of law action is taken against the erringpersons.