44 'Apni Mandis' to come up

Srinagar, Oct 12: To preserve freshness and provide better market facilities to fruits, as many as 44 'Apni Mandi (mini fruit markets)' would be constructed across Jammu and Kashmir under the technology mission.

In the first phase, eight such 'mandis' would be constructed with each costing about Rs 15 lakh. Fifty per cent of the funds would be provided by the legislator concerned out of his constituency development fund.

This was stated by Minister of State for Agriculture Aijaz Ahmed Khan while chairing a high-level meeting here.

The meeting said annually 12 lakh metric tonnes of fresh fruit from the state was sold in markets across the country.

It was revealed that more 17 fruit 'mandis' were being constructed which would be equipped with all the modern facilities.

Of these, 8 were at advanced stage of completion at a cumulative cost of Rs 19.56 crore. These when completed would help keep the fruit fresh in an effort to boost the economy of fruit growers.

The Minister laid stress on the alternate cardboard packing and export of A-grade fruit only for getting better economic returns. He directed authorities concerned to submit project reports of Bishna, Rajouri and Batote fruit 'mandis' for early execution as committed by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.

A committee, headed by the Director Horticulture Produce and Marketing, was set up to assess the stock and supply of fruit in various 'mandis' of the country. The committee would soon submit report to the Ministry for appropriate decision and measures.

UNI