Rs 48 cr sanctioned for horticulture development in J

Srinagar, May 14 (UNI) As many as Rs 48 crore have been sanctioned in the current fiscal for implementation of technology mission for integrated development of horticulture in Jammu and Kashmir.

An official spokesman today said the action plan was approved by the State Level Steering Committee (SLSC).

Under the plan, Rs 10 crore have been earmarked for developing marketing infrastructure and strengthening cold storage facilities for promotion of horticulture, agriculture, vegetable and floriculture related activities in the state.

State Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Abdul Aziz Zargar said under the approved action plan, Rs 11 crore will be spent on creating fruit processing and value addition facilities besides upgradation of a fruit procuring plant at Doobgah, Sopore.

About 10 osmotic solar dehydrators costing Rs 3.06 crore will be set-up in the Ladakh region during the current year under the plan, while four agro-based units at a cost of Rs 5.50 crore would be established in the private sector, he added.

The Minister said of these two units would be of walnut processing, one for extraction of lavender rose oil and one for integrated pack house.

The entrepreneurs would be provided other central incentives available under the technology mission, Mr Zargar added.

The Minister inspected a horticulture nursery at Chowgam in frontier district of Kupwara and a poly-green house which has 150 Lillian flower bulbs imported from Holland besides Kiwi fruit trees imported from New Zealand.

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