Principal Secretary Agricultural Production Department, Sandeep Kumar Nayak today informed that Government is intending to start ‘Kashmir Fresh’ – a brand under which all the vegetables and fruits will be categorised and sold in the both local as well as international market.
Speaking during a review meeting, Sandeep said that the ‘Kashmir Fresh’ brand will ensure the quality to attract buyers from across the globe. The secretary informed the meeting that without any adulteration all the products including fruits, vegetables, honey and saffron packed under the brand will exclusively be from the Valley. he meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal Dr. Piyush Singla, Director Agriculture Kashmir Syed Altaf Aijaz Andrabi, Director Extension Education SKUAST-K Mushtaq Ahmad Teli. Besides, all Joint Directors, Chief Agriculture officers and district officers from districts of Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal were also present in the meeting.Speaking on the occasion, Sandeep stressed for concentrating on three sectors including vegetables, apiculture and exotic varieties. He asked Chief Agriculture Officers to hold meetings with agriculture extension assistants on the monthly basis so that ground situation is brought under notice.Principal Secretary informed Chief Agriculture Officers to make a case study of Chief Ministers Programme so that the department maintains a record and the progress of the programme is monitored.
Under NABARD loan the Farmers Training and Educational Centre (FTEC) will have all the basic and modern requirements for facilitating the farmers during their training session. The new building will have Kashmiri architecture and can accommodate 30 farmers at a time.Sandeep asked Chief Agriculture Officers to concentrate on chilly cakes (waerr) and shallots (Pran) which can be packed and exported to other parts of the country as the two have longer shelf life and can fetch good fortune to the farmers.He urged agriculture officers to focus on honeycomb and its marketing. Sandeep said that all the leading hotels could be the best options to explore the marketing of the product.District Development Commissioner (DDC) Ganderbal Dr. Piyush Singla described the importance of location for FTEC. He said the new FTEC would be a centre of attraction for the farmers from Ladakh as well. The centre will be located on Srinagar-Leh highway.Director Agriculture assured the meeting that all possible support will be provided to the farmers in Rambirgarh and Pratapgarh areas of Qamarwari zone of Srinagar district for the high production of vegetable cultivation.