Record 7 lakh metric tonnes of vegetable production in Kashmir

Srinagar, Jul 20 (UNI) Buoyed by a record vegetable production of about 7 lakh metric tonnes last year valued at Rs 700 crore, the Jammu and Kashmir government is roping in multinational companies for a buy-back policy to boost the vegetable cultivation and its marketing.

About 1.25 lakh tonnes off season vegetables valued at about Rs 150 crore have been exported from the Valley last year and vegetable worth Rs 175 crore are expected to be exported this year, official sources said today.

They said the Principal Secretary Agriculture Sonali Kumar sanctioned 100 poly green houses for the growers on subsidised rates to encourage cultivation of vegetables and floriculture in the Narkara area.

She instructed the officers to register demands of the vegetable and floriculture growers with regard to provision of irrigation pumps, small load carriers and related facilities so that a realistic farmer's demand related action plan is formulated.

She said the farmers could be provided modern facilities under Technology Mission and other centrally-sponsored schemes.

The Principal Secretary Agriculture said that National Insurance Company would be approached to formulate a viable vegetable crop insurance scheme to compensate vegetable growers in hostile climatic conditions.

UNI BAS SW AS1035