Minister for Horticulture, Syed Basharat Ahmed Bukhari and Minister of State for Education, Tourism and Horticulture, Priya Sethi inaugurated divisional level Mango Fruit Show at Abhinav Theatre, here today.Vice Chairman Horticulture Development Board, Abdul Salam Reshi, Secretary Horticulture, M H Malik, Director Horticulture Jammu, Bhawani Rakwal besides senior functionaries of Horticulture Department were present on the occasion.Speaking on the occasion, Bukhari said the government is working under a well knit strategy to provide improved marketing facilities to the farmers adding that suitable markets will provide financial security and benefit farmers immensely.Stressing on creating online markets for farmers, the Minister said that the government is committed to set up online markets throughout the state so that farmers will get good buyers for their produce.The Minister said that the issue of high density mango cultivation has already been discussed with Union Minister of Agriculture and a comprehensive report will soon be presented to the centre in this regard.
Assuring requisite measures to promote the horticulture sector and ensure better facilities to the farmers, the Minister said that a comprehensive Horticulture policy is on anvil for the state and a committee has already been constituted to prepare a complete report on the same. He appreciated the department for updating the farmers with latest know how to improve farming adding that it is vital that farmers are kept well abreast with the technological advancements in the field along with better marketing facilities helping them to fetch good returns for their produce .Speaking on the occasion, Priya Sethi said that horticulture is the backbone of our economy and an inclusive mechanism will be put in place to facilitate and award farmers with incentives like other states. She thanked the centre government for sanctioning Rs 500 crore for Horticulture development in the state and said that with optimal utilization of the funds and synergized efforts of all stakeholders horticulture sector will reach new heights.Ministers also inspected the stalls installed by the farmers exhibiting varieties of mangos and its bi-product and handed over prizes and certificates to the winning farmers.