Underlining the need for adopting innovative and scientific measures to boost the horticulture produce, Minister for Horticulture Syed Basharat Bukhari today said the Government is keen to bring the Ladakh on the horticulture map of the State.The Minister said this during his visit to Fruit Mandi Complex at Kurbathang to take stock of ongoing work, the Minister was informed by the Horticulture Department officials that the Mandi is being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 1.09 crore to provide avenues for better and convenient marketing practices to the farmers of the region.Chairmen Legislative Council Haji Anayat Ali, MLA Kargil Haji Asgar Ali Karbalai, Vice President Culture J&K Academy Zafar Iqbal Manhas, Secretary Horticulture Manzoor Ahmad Lone, Addition Division commissioner Kargil Barkat Ali Lone Nizami, Director Horticulture Planning Manzoor Ahmad Qadri and various other administrative officers accompanied the Minister.Seeking details regarding possibilities to explore and introduce new high yielding fruit varieties in the region, the Minister directed concerned officials to explore the possibility of introducing new type of fruits in the Ladakh region.
Bukhari directed the concerned for motivating farmers to adopt modern farming practices, besides conducting mass awareness campaign in the interiors of the region on zonal level regarding use of quality fertilizers, pesticides and fungicides.He directed for starting the process of introducing high yielding plants in coming fruit season.Later, the Minister flagged of a team of doctors and paramedics of Baqariya Health Care and Research Center Kargil on a 12 days extensive Hepatitis B vaccination campaign at Shargole lock.
Lauding the role and efforts of the Baqariya Health Care and Research Center in the region, the Minister urged the members of the Center to work with utmost professionalism and dedication to provide better healthcare facilities to the people of the far off villages.The Minister also interacted with various delegations and assured them timely redress of their grievances. Meanwhile people and growers hailed the Minister and horticulture officials for visiting the cold desert region and ascertain the facts on the ground.The growers appraised the Minister about various issues pertaining to the horticulture sector. They also demanded that they should be given dedicated places in Srinagar and Jammu region to showcase and market the apricot produce.The Minister said the government is committed to achieve the objectives to enhance the production and productivity of quality fruit crops in the State to compete in the national and international markets with highest employment opportunities in horticulture sector.Bukhari stressed on better marketing practices of horticulture produce of the State, he said that the department needs to work towards improving marketing facilities and building a strong brand in the region.