A Joint Inspection Team (JIT) headed by the Director Horticulture Kashmir, G. R. Mir today visited Lassipora Pulwama and inspected CA Stores viz. Safe Trading Corporation and Alpine Agro Fresh Pvt. Ltd. and reviewed their functioning.
This was the first visit of JIT to these CA Stores after the projects were approved by the Empowered Monitoring Committee (EMC). The other members of the committee included Deputy Director Horticulture Kashmir, Chief Canning Instructor Kashmir, Chief Horticulture Officer Pulwama and Ex. Engineer Horticulture Planning and Marketing Anantnag.
Speaking on the occasion Director said that Department is committed to strengthen the post-harvest infrastructure in the valley and is exploring every opportunity to have the infrastructures like CA stores, Grading and Packing lines, Processing Units etc., developed across the Valley and best services are provided by these to the orchardists.
He further added that currently we have significantly low CA Storage capacity when compared to the annual production which results in distress sales. He enjoined upon the entrepreneurs to come forward and set up the CA Store and other post-harvest units and department will provide every possible help.
Director Horticulture further said that improved post-harvest infrastructure like CA Stores will help in keeping the Kashmiri apple in the market round the year and farmers will get good returns for their produce.