Centre assures full funding to J&K under farm sector schemes

The Union government today assured "full funding" to Jammu and Kashmir under flagship schemes like Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY) and micro irrigation scheme to develop agriculture sector in the state.
Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh today met Chief Minister Mehbooba here and discussed several issues of agriculture sector pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir, an official spokesman said.
Mehbooba asked for liberal assistance to the state under the flagship schemes and also highlighted the need for setting up cold chains in the state to minimise post harvest losses.
She informed Singh that the state government has introduced a special scheme in horticulture sector under which apple and mango villages are being developed in the state.

"With the establishment of the cold chains the fruit would reach the markets in time and even the value additions could be made into the produce," she said.
The Union minister assured the Chief Minister that the Centre would provide full funding to the state under these programmes.
On the research activities in agriculture sector, the chief minister apprised the Union minister of the activities conducted at SKUAST, Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture and other research stations.
During the meeting, the spokesman said the desirability of setting up of a horticulture university in view of the huge horticulture produce also came up for discussion.