Riyaz Bhat
Srinagar, Jul 4: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan Friday said Kashmir is rich in apple production and that a Clean Plant Centre for the Valley will enhance its quality and production.
Speaking at the 6th Convocation of SKUAST-Kashmir, Chauhan, said Kashmir is rich in producing apples but there is a need for good plants. “Yesterday we decided to open a Clean Plant Centre worth Rs 150 crores in Kashmir.”
He said that the high density apple production has increased six-fold and he wants to take the fruit of Jammu and Kashmir to the rest of the world so that India will not import any apple from any country.
Chauhan further said he is very happy to be at SKUAST-K. “Before I leave, I want to inform professors and the students of this university that very soon we will get first rank from 5th among agricultural universities of India. I am happy there are students from 20 states studying in SKUAST-K. I believe SKUAST-K can not only be the national university but it can be an international university,” he said.
The minister further said that the graduating students must know that their studies have not completed but have begun now. “Now is the time for them to share and execute the knowledge which they have achieved from classrooms to laboratories.”
“Farming is the basics of Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of the country. Half of the population is earning and eating the bread by farming,” he added.
In the meantime, the minister visited the horticulture research and demonstration blocks the varsity where he reviewed a high-yielding variety of apple capable of fruiting within the first year of plantation, significantly reducing the gestation period for orchard productivity.
During his two day visit, Chauhan took stock of on-ground innovations in horticulture. Besides he conducted a general interaction with main stakeholders of agriculture and related divisions.
During the visit, the minister made a commitment to reform the pesticide ecosystem.
Chauhan said that the GoI will adopt multiple ways to make sure that the quality and affordability of pesticides, with stringent penalties, including imprisonment, for those dealing in substandard or harmful products.
