Mehbooba stresses on strengthening horticulture sector

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today stressed on the need to enhance the allocation for horticulture sector in view of its contribution to the state economy.
The chief minister today held a meeting to review the implementation of various schemes in horticulture here today.
She said raising more allied infrastructure, introduction of high yielding varieties, good connectivity to orchards to cut down the overhead costs, availability of cold chain and good marketing are the areas which need to be given thrust to take Horticulture industry to a level where it can optimally tap the fruit requirement at the national level.

Jammu & Kashmir produces around 18 lac metric tonnes of fruit which constitutes roughly 70 per cent of national fruit production and it generates some seven crore mandays of work annually, highest by any sector of economy.
The meeting was informed that mango, orange and anardana villages have been set up in Kathua, Reasi and Ramban districts over a cost of Rs 10.59 crore.
She asked for dovetailing schemes of MGNREGA, Horticulture, NABARD and other agencies for raising facilities of good roads touching orchards, better irrigation facilities and availability of quality material to farmers.