Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 7: Consortium of Indian Farmers Association (CIFA), J&K branch has urged the Government to establish fruit and vegetable ‘mandis’ in the potential areas of the State.
Talking to media persons here today former Minister and national advisor of the Consortium, Th Randhir Singh (State NCP chief) welcomed the decision of the Union Government for allowing FDI in retail sector and said that it would help the farmers, fruit growers and the consumers. He said many areas of the state are known for fruit and vegetable production and new `Mandis’ are needed to be set up there to facilitate the farmers and growers so that middlemen are set aside and farmers/ fruit growers are benefited in big way.
The CIFA member pointed out that there was lot of potential in the areas like Doda, Kishtwar, Udhampur, Ramban and even Rajouri and Poonch besides Akhnoor, R S Pura, Bishnah, Vijaypur and Kathua, good Mandis are needed to be set up there. Mr Singh criticized the SKUAST- Jammu for not taking adequate steps to further develop and Basmati of R S Pura belt and said that it has failed to compete the Pakistani basmati in the international market. He also demanded ban on exploitation of Berbari bush commonly known as Kamelu, a rare medicinal plant for the extraction of Rasaunth which is being done illegally with the connivance of some Forest official by the local contractor in the hilly areas.
National president CIFA Satnam Singh Behru highlighted the activities undertaken by the organization in the country for the benefit of farmers. He demanded that there should be provision of separate budget in this sector on the pattern of Railways.
Follow our WhatsApp channel