Minister for Cooperatives Chering Dorjay today said that the present Government is fully committed to the development and strengthening of cooperative sector in Ladakh region and several key measures are underway to introduce profitable schemes to help farmers in getting profitable income.The Minister stated this while chairing a meeting convened to discuss projects to be formulated under National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) for Kargil District at conference Hall Baroo here today.Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor Kargil Kacho Ahmad Ali Khan, Deputy Commissioner Kargil Vikas Kundal besides other concerned officers were present in the meeting.The Minister said that Government is working for the prosperity of the farmers by providing environment friendly, real time reliable and high quality agricultural services and is keen to implement several schemes and projects under NCDC in the district in the days to come.Dorjay said that focused attention would be given with regard to the production of finished products of sea buck thorn, apricot and dairy by introducing high quality machinery so as to produce quality products in line with the present needs.
The Minister said that there is no dearth of funds under NCDC and directed the concerned officers to formulate proposals for establishment of polycarbonate sheet green houses, cold storages, milk processing units, Pashmina goat rearing units, Fishery units and other business ventures for larger benefit of the cooperative societies.While referring to the steps being taken by the Cooperative Department for welfare of the people, the Minister said that issue with regard to the establishment of a tetra pack plant in Leh has already been taken up with the Central Government which is under active consideration. Dorjay said that coming up of the plant in the region will on the one hand produce sea buck thorn and apricot products of high quality and will also usher in an era of profitable business to the peasants of the twin districts of Leh and Kargil.The Minister said work on the 1000 MT cold storage at Leh is nearing completion and will start functioning this year. He directed the Deputy Commissioner Kargil to start work on the establishment of cold storage at Kargil out of the Rs 4.50 crores released for the district under PMDP.The Minster while stressing on the need to enlighten beneficiaries about the schemes under NCDC, National Horticulture Board (NHB) and other related schemes directed the Deputy Commissioner to hold awareness programmes in different parts of the district so that the farmers are encouraged to avail benefits of such schemes thereby giving boost to their income.