Director Horticulture Kashmir, Ajaz Ahmad Bhat today visited District Pulwama & Shopian alongwith Chief Horticulture officer Pulwama and other field officers to assess the damage to orchards due to snowfall.He visited Mitrigam, Deeri, Malpora, Naira, Trichal, Tahab, Payer, Mugalpora, Koil, Malikpora, Dalipora, Gusoo, Barpora, karewa, Malpora, Monghama Kenigam, Baderwan, Lajurah, Ladhoo, Khrew, shaar and other villages in Pulwama & Saidpora , Kachdoora, Vehil, Hanjipora, Beminpora, Gagran, Kanipora of District Shopian where heavy damaged to orchids due to snowfall has been reported.The Director instructions all filed functionaries to assess the damage along with Revenue authorities to furnish a report. He also issued instructions to the field functionaries to remain available for orchardists in their respective areas.During the field visit following advisory was also issued to farmers to minimize the losses. The farmers were advised to clear water channels and drains to ensure complete drainage from the orchards, shaking trees to remove snow immediately, If the fruit trees tilt, reduce the canopy load by pruning and provide proper support.
It is also advised to pull back the trees to the original position, immediately cover the roots with soil which have been exposed to avoid further damage. They were asked to shift the heaps of harvested fruit, if any, to the sheds besides providing support to limbs which are not strong enough to sand without support.Later Director Horticulture Kashmir also visited Fruit Mandi Aglar and interacted with the fruit growers. He reiterated the rates of apple produce and quality parameters under the MIS scheme.The rate for extra class Apple Delicious (Gift pack) cardboard trey packing Rs.70 per kg, A Grade Delicious wooden grass packing Rs.60 per kg, B Grade Delicious wooden grass packing Rs.44 per kg, C Grade Delicious wooden grass packing Rs.24 per kg, A Grade American wooden Grass packing Rs.48 per Kg, B Grade Amercian wooden Grass packing Rs.33 per kg, A Grade Maharaji woodn Grass packing Rs.40 per Kg and B Grade Maharaji woodn Grass packing Rs.25 per kg.The Director assured the growers that scheme for procurement of Apple is being extended upto 15th of February 2020. He urged the orchardists to reap the maximum benefit from the Market Intervention Scheme.