Vegetable satellite market in Kashmir

Srinagar, June 25 (UNI) A Rs 2 crore fruit and vegetable satellite market has been set up at Shopian in south Kashmir.

Spread over an area of 32 kanals (1.6 hectares) of land, the satellite market comprises 90 shops, 10 kiosks and an administrative block. The market also has parking, drinking water and other facilities.

Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Abdul Aziz Zargar inaugurated the satellite market at Shopian in Pulwama district last evening.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Zargar said the government has taken several steps to increase fruit production in the state both in terms of quality and quantity and construction of satellite markets was an effort in this regard.

He said the satellite market was an asset and the local growers should take advantage of available facilities. The market provided added facility to the growers who need not go to Srinagar and other places now for marketing their produce, the Minister said.

Mr Zargar elaborated on various measures taken to boost fruit industry in the state, saying the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) had been launched under which C grade fruit was purchased from growers at their doorsteps.

This, he said, helped in proper grading of the fruit produce and ensured good remuneration to the growers.

Under the technology mission, various programmes have been introduced to improve quality, packing and marketing besides bring more area under fruit cultivation, the Minister said, adding the land for constructing a pack house at Shopian had also been acquired.

UNI AG VD VV1632