QNS NEWS!!! Government of Jammu and Kashmir Directorate of Information Friday, November 29, 2013 dirinfjk@gmail 2-day International Conference-cum-Exhibition “India FARM 2 FORK” J&K supports investment in Agri Sector: G H Mir Presents State’s vision to improve productivity, infrastructure & market NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 29: Welcoming the prospects of private financial and technological investment in establishing network of cold chain infrastructure, refrigerated transportation and post-harvest management, in Jammu and Kashmir, the Minister for Agriculture Mr. Ghulam Hassan Mir, on Friday said that the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, as a matter of policy, is considering involving private players in the Agriculture sector. Speaking in the inaugural session of the 2-day International Conference-cum-Exhibition “India FARM 2 FORK” organised by Progress Harmony Development (PHD), Chamber of Commerce and Industry, New Delhi, the State Agriculture Minister presented the vision of J&K State in the area of Agriculture and Food sector. The Minister said that Jammu and Kashmir has a vast resource base for production of different kinds of food items from Agriculture, Horticulture, Sheep and Animal Husbandry sectors. He said inspite of varied agriculture products having huge market potential, the state suffers from transportation constraints particularly in mountainous and inaccessible areas, absence of organized collection centres and storage facilities. Mr. Mir said due to high cost of transportation and higher toll duties, the farmers of the State find it difficult to sustain competition with farmers of plains in other states. Therefore, the State is promoting formation of agri-producer organizations to provide appropriate assistance in developing collection centers, improved storage facilities and transportation which are pre-requisite for growth of this sector. The Minister said Government of the State, as a matter of policy, is considering involving private players for interventions in establishment of Agri-based Skill Development and Training Institutions to broad base and harness genuinely fair amount of profits in agriculture sector. Mr. Mir said that Jammu and Kashmir Government would like to support private investors to venture into the areas such as seed production of crops, vegetables; fabrication of machinery and equipment suited for agri-production, post-harvest management and marketing, providing sale and services in developing micro-irrigation facilities; developing and installation of Protected Cultivation structures for high value vegetables, flowers, and other crops. He said J&K State especially the Kashmir valley abounds in surplus Apple production and at the same time it faces the problem of extensive post-harvest losses due to rotage. Various attempts have been made to come to the rescue of fruit growers through intervention in post-harvest management and marketing but a lot needs to be done by way of establishment of network of cold chain infrastructure and value addition. Investment from private sector in this regard is desired, he added. The Minister said that the farming population of the State especially the habitats of Milk producers are located in far off and mountainous areas where transportation is difficult and time consuming. This often results in product deterioration and diminished returns to farmers/milk producers. Participation of Private players in refrigerated transportation of milk and milk products shall be of immense help to the milk producers. He said in the fishing sector, enhancement of lake and reservoir fish stocks will require continuous hatchery production as stocking material, especially the indigenous Mahseers and Schizothoracines. Some of the water bodies also need to be selected as fish sanctuaries. The role of private participation in this sector and their post-harvest management also needs serious consideration. The Minister said that State Government is implementing various Centrally Sponsored Schemes and would like to avail adequate assistance under “National Mission on Food Processing” which addresses most of the issues related to employment generation and skill development. It provides for institutionalizing Food Processing Mission at the State level and the District Level, as it has the provision for the Scheme of Mega Food Parks; the Scheme for food safety, codex and R&D to give the sector a competitive edge and Scheme for Human Resource Development. The Agriculture Minister said that emancipation of agriculture sector lies in productivity enhancement through adoption of improved farm practices and diversification in the rural non-farm sector. Awareness and popularization of modern farm practices like high quality inputs, mechanization, promoting water use efficiency in irrigation, sustainability through organic farming, integrated pest and nutrient management, besides other post-harvest Management and market linkages is to be the focus area. The Minister said that it is hoped that the population engaged in Agriculture which continues to contribute significantly to Gross Domestic Product shall look forward through the window of India FARM 2 FORK International Conference Cum Exhibition for enhanced productivity and enhanced avenues for virtual employment in the agriculture sector. No. PR/DI/2013/8059/id/as/ Government of Jammu and Kashmir Directorate of Information Friday, November 29, 2013 dirinfjk@gmail JK wins Readers Travel Award Govt. efforts for tourism promotion bearing fruit:-Tanvir NEW DELHI NOVEMBER 13: Leh-Ladakh of Jammu & Kashmir won the Readers Travel Award from the Conde Nest Travellers India magazine 2013 for the favourite emerging destination in a function organised at ITC Maurya Sherton by the Conde Nast Travellers magazine. Tanvir Sadiq political secretary to Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah received the award on behalf of the State. Tanvir later said that this award validates and recognises the efforts of the Chief Minister and the tourism department to develop tourism in the state. The political secretary said that while tourism in the state is close to our heart it is good to know that the efforts of the coalition government headed by Mr. Omar Abdullah to promote and develop tourism in the state have borne fruit. Tanvir said that the award is recognition for a milestone in our journey and it reinforces our commitment to make the state into a world class destination for both high end and mass tourism. The political secretary said that it is satisfying to know that compared to the earlier years the last 2-3 years have seen more than 50% increase in the arrival of tourist in the state. Tanvir while thanking the Conde Nast for recognising our efforts said that the journey has just begun. Meanwhile, Khyber Himalayas resort and Spa Gulmarg received the runners up award for the favourite boutique hotel in India. No:PR/DI/13/8058/desk/ Government of Jammu and Kashmir Directorate of Information Friday, November 29, 2013 dirinfjk@gmail LA penal for fulfilling pending Government Assurances JAMMU, NOVEMBER 29: The Committee on Government Assurances (AC) of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Friday directed the Government to fulfil all pending Government Assurances given by them from time to time on the floor of the House in a time bound manner. The Committee, which met here under the Chairmanship of MLA, Ch. Zulifkar Ali discussed and examined the Assurances pertaining to various departments.
Posted on: Fri, 29 Nov 2013 11:55:34 +0000
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