Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sept 21: Minister for Horticulture, Sham Lal Sharma has called upon the officers to motivate the growers and traders to ensure quality of fruit, especially the apple to fetch attractive return of their products. He said in the era of competition in the market the quality control is must and “we have to focus on this vital area to maintain the credibility of State’s horticulture produce”.
Chairing a meeting of officers of Horticulture (Planning and Marketing) to review the functioning of the department and to discuss the strategy for transportation of apple to various destinations, the Minister stressed for exploring new markets to promote State’s horticulture products.
He stressed for regular interaction between the officers and traders to sort out the petty issues and problems being faced by the business community associated with this trade. He also stressed on strengthening the monitoring mechanism at the initial terminal point Lower Munda so that a proper record for each carrier was maintained.
In order to bring more transparency in the functioning and to respond quarries of customers with regard to the quality and other aspects of products and trade, the Minister directed for creating an exclusive website, which should be regularly updated. The system would also help in getting valuable feedback and suggestions from the different stakeholders from across the country for improving the functioning.
Regarding the problems of field functionaries, which are posted in different parts of the country, Mr Sham assured that the Government would create modern infrastructure in the offices of Area Marketing Officers according to the present requirements at the earliest. He directed the Commissioner Secretary Agriculture Production Department to formulate a comprehensive proposal for equipping the offices as per the present needs to enhance the efficacy of the officers.
Giving resume of the activities of the department, the Commissioner Secretary Horticulture, Shaleen Kabra informed that last year the department dispatched 9.69 lakh MTs of fresh and dry fruits to different States and generated revenue to the tune of Rs. 41.75 crore. He said during the current financial year, the department has tentatively fixed a target of 9 lakh MTs, despite low production of fresh fruit in the Valley.
Director, Planning and Marketing, Dr. M.S. Sood, Director Horticulture, Mohammad Saleem, Director Area Planning, A.K. Gandotra, Area Marketing Officers, Chief Horticulture Officers and officers of different wings of the Horticulture (Planning & Marketing) Departments were present in the meeting.
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