To inspect demonstration projects of High Density Apple orchards established by Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) Kashmir in collaboration with companies from Netherlands, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (Holland), Alphonsus Stoelinga, today inspected various projects here.The projects have been established under International Business Programme of the Netherlands Government to showcase the advanced technology and high quality virus free Apple and other fruit plant materials offered by the Dutch companies. The Ambassador was accompanied by Agriculture Counsellor, Wouter Verhey, Deputy Agriculture Counsellor, Anand Krishnan, Liaison PIB Fruits, Amit Parashar and Technical Director, Verbeek Nurseries Holland Arie van den Berg. Vice Chancellor SKUAST, Prof Nazeer Ahmed informed the Ambassador that Apple trees from Netherlands which were planted in April 2017 had produced quality fruit during current season.The Vice Chancellor said that farmers from across the State are visiting the campus for demonstration orchard plants invariably and are showing keen interest in adapting these orchard techniques in particular Apple plants from Netherlands.
The VC further emphasized to work in close coordination with the Netherland Government to have sustainable assistance in plant trees besides shall collaborate in transferring technology apart from plantation of apples to take benefit of latest technological changes from the world’s largest exporter of food products and leader in Horticulture sector.Later, the Ambassador visited two cold storage plants, Fruit Master Agro Fresh and H.N. Agri-Serve, using technology imported from Netherlands at Lassipora Pulwama,Managing Director J&K Horticulture Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation (JKHPMC), Jawaid Ahmad Shah, briefed the Ambassador about the Horticulture scenario of the State and efforts of the Government in boosting horticulture trade of the State.The Managing Director briefed about the efforts of the Government to create Post Infrastructural Facilities across the State in the shape of Integrated Apple Grading and Packing facilities along with Cold Storage facilities for overall benefit of the Farming Community of the State to have better returns of their produce.He sought the special intervention of the Ambassador in collaborating to adopt Netherlands technology for establishment of Cold Storage facilities in the State with their assistance and guidance.The Ambassador assured all possible help and assistance from Netherland Government and said that the Government of Netherlands looks forward to collaborating with the Government and farmers of J&K in hi-tech Horticulture infrastructure development.