Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 8: The much awaited Apple Crop Insurance (ACI) to be launched in Jammu and Kashmir soon. Initially the scheme would be introduced in two districts of Kashmir Valley namely, Baramulla and Shopian on pilot basis and gradually it will be launched in other parts of the State.
This was revealed by the Minister for Horticulture, Raman Bhalla at one-day seminar-cum-training programme on promotion of Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) organized by the Department of Horticulture in coordination with the Small Farmers Agri-business Consortium(SFAC), Department of Agriculture and Cooperative, Government of India held at Nund Reshi Convention Hall, Sheri-Kashmir University of Agricultural Science and Technology (SKUAST-K) here today.
Minister of State for Horticulture and Floriculture Feroz Ahmad Khan was also present on the occasion.
Maintaining that prosperous and developed farmer is key to prosperous and developed nation, the Minister said that Government has taken several initiatives for the welfare of farming community in the State and Apple Corp Insurance is one of the initiatives in this direction. The farmers of the State were voicing their concern for the past several years and now their wait is going to be over soon. Mr. Bhalla further maintained that 8 new soil testing laboratories will be set up soon in the State to facilitate the growers and farmers of the State. This initiative will help in improving the quality of produces besides boosting the crops.
Appreciating the efforts of organizers for arranging such an informative event, Mr. Bhalla said that such plate forms provide opportunities to the growers, distributers and technocrats to come closer to give new dimensions in improving the quality and evolving new innovations which can prove very useful in the long run. The events could be utilized a fora for exchange of ideas by all the stakeholders associated with the horticulture industry. He hoped that the participants will utilize their experience on ground.
Mr Bhalla said that Government has prioritized the modernization of horticulture industry to facilitate the farmers and growers especially in remote and far flung areas for easing out their day to day needs and requirements for the development of horticulture sector. In order to control various diseases particularly Apple scab and to maintain quality check on pesticides, enforcement wing of horticulture department will be empowered by delegating powers of Enforcement Inspectors to HoDs. This would enable to keep a check on the sub-standard pesticides, he added.
Terming the Horticulture as backbone of State’s economy, Feroz Ahmad Khan said that this sector is playing a vital role in changing the socio economic conditions of major portion of the population of the State. He said that Horticulture and Handicrafts are two main sectors which make the people surviving during last 25 years of turmoil. He said that about 7 lakh families are associated with the horticulture activities directly or indirectly in the State. The turnover on horticulture is expected to touch Rs 5000 crore during 2014-15.
Secretary Horticulture, Sanjeev Verma, in his welcome address also highlighted the importance and need of launching Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) in the State and said it will prove beneficial for the people associated with the horticulture industry and economy of state.
Among others, Director Horticulture, Kashmir P. K. Sharma, Director Horticulture Planning & Marketing, Showkat Ahmad Zargar, Senior Consultant, SFAC, Department of Agriculture and Cooperative, Government of India, Scientists, Faculty Members of SKUAST-K, large gathering of farmers drawn from various parts of valley attended the seminar.
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