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| Valley's fruit growers allege official apathy | | | Majid Nabi
Early Times Report
Srinagar, Mar 16: Lamenting government's indiscreet policy in upgrading Horticulture sector with modern technology, the Valley-based fruit growers accused the state government of ruining the industry without caring about the people whose 'livelihood' depends on it.
They alleged that the government has never been serious to improve the industry with latest expertise which has resulted into the setback to thousands of planters associated with the trade since decade's altogether.
The farmers blamed the government for leaving the horticulture sector into lurch owing to the clumsy approach adopted by it.
Ghulam Nabi Malik, the head of the body representing valley based fruit cultivators alleged that the industry which is considered as a backbone of state economy lacks modern technology like disease forecasting system which otherwise has been introduced across the country years back.
"If the government introduces Disease Forecasting System (DFS) in the state, we will be able to produce disease free fruits, besides the industry also lacks standard packaging methods, sufficient cold storage facilities, proper irrigation facilities, crop insurance schemes and nurseries of international standard," he said.
Taking potshots at the government for allegedly misleading the fruit growers, he said that the horticulture sector is yet to be acquainted with modern way of cultivation.
"Government has taken this sector for-granted in technological aspect, which besides incurring huge losses to famers has reduced the value of famous Kashmiri outgrowth in international market," said Malik.
He said, "Research institutions are unable to live up to the challenges faced by this industry as government has so far failed to upgrade research institutions here, or take effective measures to introduce latest technologies in producing disease-free, quality nurseries and fruits."
Malik said government has also failed to keep check on pre- and post-harvest problems, enhancement of processing industry, and flow of substandard fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides and fungicides.
To ensure quality produce he said coordination between the research institutions, horticulture department and the growers is need of the hour. Besides all defunct departmental nurseries must be made functional and high quality plants from horticulture extension centers should be made available so that the sector neglected so far can flourish again.
He demanded that comprehensive horticulture policy be formulated to make horticulture attractive, more profitable and purchasable. |
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