'Kashmir can generate 30,000 cr in horticulture annually' experts
Wrong policies lead to horticulture decline
Mudassir
Kuloo
Srinagar: Notwithstanding the drastic down fall in horticulture production in Kashmir, experts believe positive measures for the
enhancement of this sector could generate 30,000 crores to the State income annually.
Former, President of Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and
Industry, Shakeel Qalander gives the figures of some crops grown in Kashmir Valley which show huge difference in production compared to the rest of
the world.
"In other parts of the World the saffron production ranges from 7-10 kilograms per hectare, it is only 2-3 kilogram in the Valley.
We grow five metric tonnes of apple per hectare, however, in Australia; they grow 50 metric tonnes of apple per hectare. Here, we grow only four
metric tonnes of cherry per hectare while in developed world it is around 35 metric tonnes per hectare," Qalander said.
He pointed out that we
use only 10 percent of modern technology in horticulture; which is the main reason for drastic decline of the Valley's horticulture
production.
Experts said, Kashmiri horticulture production sector has neither grown up nor made any progress during the past 20 years because
of wrong policies of the successive regimes.
With a huge difference in the figures of food production, Qalander believes horticulture sector
could generate 30,000 crores of J&K State's income, which at present generates only 300 crores.
Qalander emphasized implementing various
measures so that the State could achieve 30,000 crores target from horticulture in near future.
"We need to use modern machines and techniques
to increase production in the sector. Our 40 percent apple production goes waste after falling from the trees. We should use cold storage techniques
by which we can save the apples from spoiling. We should imitate from the developed World how they preserve fruits for off season; then they sell
these products five times more than the normal price," he said.
He said, "Before 1947, we were only importing salt, but now we import goods
worth 35 thousand crores annually, while export goods worth of seven thousand crores. It is because the food production in the Valley has been
decreasing which leads us to remain dependent on outsiders."
Mohammad Amin, a young Kashmiri successful entrepreneur called education an
important tool for increasing food production.
He said, "We need people who can teach how to grow various food products in the
Valley."
He believes that the State has a rich potential for development of horticulture sector however, it has been a victim of the State
government’s wrong policies.
"The governments need to educate the people how to grow various crops in the State which has a rich market
outside the State. They need to aware people about the modern technology being used by the developed world. They should make positive publicity across
the globe about the food products grown here. So that it would attract attention of the consumers in international market," he added.
Scientists at the Sheri Kashmir University of Agricultural Science and Technology, Kashmir, blame stone crushers and pollution emanating from vehicles
for the down fall in horticulture production.
"The pollution emanating from crushers and vehicles has a negative impact on the chemistry of
the soil, and leads to the downfall in production. The most affected areas are those which fall within two kilometers range from these industries,"
they added. (AIP News)
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