Sham highlights State’s horti-flori sectors in Intl Congress

Excelsior Correspondent

NEW DELHI, Jan 11: Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing, Tariq Anwar, inaugurated International Horticulture Congress- 2013 held at NSIC Exhibition Ground Okhla, here today.
Nearly 16 countries and all States of the host country are participating in this prestigious horticulture-floriculture expo to showcase the achievements and initiatives in these twin sectors.
Minister for Horticulture and Floriculture, Sham Lal Sharma, who was guest of honor on the occasion, highlighted various achievements of the Department of Horticulture and Floriculture in Jammu and Kashmir. He also highlighted the steps initiated to promote the horticulture and floriculture in the State during the past over four years.
In his keynote address, Sham Lal Sharma laid stress on developing formal linkage between the growers and the marketing agencies with a strong network of cold chain and communication system to reap the benefits of these important sectors. He said India is one of the largest markets for flower and horticulture trade in the world and a well-knit mechanism of marketing facilities needs to be developed so that consumers can get the products on genuine rates in all seasons.
Giving details about the steps initiated by the State Government to promote these sectors in Jammu and Kashmir, the Minister said that State is major producer of fruit and flowers and during the past three-four years its production has increased manifold. The Government has strengthened the network of markets at the district and tehsil level to provide facilities to the farmers and growers at their doorsteps and to provide them genuine rates of their products.
In his formal address, Sanjeev Chopra, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture & Managing Director, Horticulture Mission hailed the efforts and achievements of the State Government.