WE THE PEOPLE
Kashmir fruits like apple, strawberry, mushroom and indigenous vegetables are in great demand at global level
But people demand drip/sprinkler irrigation facilities and nutrient management techniques to boost production
By: Dr. G.M.Wani
Srinagar: As stated earlier, the major contributor to J&K’s Gross Domestic product is horticulture and horticultural global market share for India is around 15%. We dominate markets in Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal and Bangladesh. Our share is relatively less in countries like Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Israel, Kuwait, Pakistan, Oman and Brunei. But with enhancing trade in SAARC countries, we may have more opportunities of expansion in domestic Asian markets. Thus a trust towards horticultural export orientation is linked with peace and union among SAARC countries. We share cultural, religious and food habits, thus our products could be preferred over others. This needs proper post-harvest and market-led extension and outreach system. Given proper attention we may capture markets of Japan, Hong Kong, China and other countries too. For more aggressive development of horticulture in J&K state, there is need to lay stress on the development of marketing facilities, employment and income generation options and setting of export promotion zones.
In order to give boost to exports, thrust needs to be given to strawberry, mushroom and cumin seed, berries, wild fruits and indigenous vegetables. The local horticultural germplasm needs investigative and innovative projections. As local germplasm is well suited to our environment for it needs less water. The new market options for organic fruits produced in J&K need prioritization and certification under WTO regulation. International biosafety measures, grading and packaging of available fruits, initiates for development of new varieties of fruits like kiwi fruit, wild apricot, black cherry, broccoli and mushroom are the suggested ways for the development of this sector. The options for air transport, cargo from Leh, Srinagar and Jammu to centers of consumption like Delhi, Chandigrah and Mumbai need exploration. The agro-based industrial set-ups using low grade apple for juice, shampoo, biofuels and use of available horticultural and floricultural wastes for marketable commodities as gift packs, scents, ornamentals, dehydrated flowers, perfumes and bio-fuel.
It is reported that Horticulture Planning and Marketing J&K has established Fruit and vegetable markets within the state. The department is in the process of strengthening three main operating markets of Nowpora (Sopore), Parimpora (Srinagar) and Narwal (Jammu). So far multipurpose grading, packing and auction sheds have been constructed at Nowpora Sopore. Further 17 satellite markets have been established within the state. Market information service has been introduced to collect and disseminate market intelligence through NET connectivity within and outside state. It is further reported that regular agricultural marketing news as Zariye Khabernama has been started in Kashmir Door Darshan.
Pertinent to mention that most of the fruit crops are rain-fed, need development of irrigation facility in the form of drip/sprinkler irrigation. Site specific nutrient management technique need to be adopted to improve and economize fertilizer use in fruit and vegetable crops.
Strategies need to be evolved for the development of cost effective, eco-friendly crop production and plant protection technologies free from all hazardous chemicals with minimal damage to soil, water, air, plants and animals. Besides diversification of fruit cultivation, cultivation of dry fruits in rain-fed areas is need of the hour. Use of local genotypes of wild fruits like nuts, berries etc shall help in a big way.
“There is need for the production of fruits, vegetables and flowers in off-season and creation of facilities for making off-season products thereof. Rejuvenation of sick and unprodutive horitculture units such as orchards, fruit nurseries and processing units etc. Promotion and popularization of hybrid technology in vegetables and establishment of tissue culture laboratories and green houses for mass multiplication of disease free planting material, tubers/corms and seeds. Degraded soils of the fruit crops where crops are growing for decades due to soil erosion or in soil chemical change, need to be given attention to ameliorate it. Above all establishment of modernized fruits and vegetables processing/preservation units. Infrastructure facilities are needed for post harvest management of horticulture industry in J&K State,” suggest experts.
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