Netherlands offers technical expertise to boost Kashmir’s horticulture sector
Jammu and Kashmir government would seek technical expertise from Netherlands in introducing high density fruit plants in the State.
Netherlands would also help Jammu and Kashmir to set up two Centers of Excellence to give fillip to the horticulture produce in the State, an official spokesperson said on Thursday.
The decision in this regard was taken at a high level meeting held between the officers of State government and representatives of Netherland government under the chairmanship of Minister for Horticulture, Abdul Rehman Veeri here today, he said.
Agriculture Councilor of Netherlands, Wouter Verhey, Deputy Agriculture Councilor, Anand Krishnan, Commissioner Secretary Agriculture Production department, Mohammad Ashraf Bukhari, Director Horticulture, Kashmir and Jammu Provinces, besides Director Finance Agriculture Department participated in the meeting.
The Dutch Agriculture Councilor assured the State government of full technical support to boost the horticulture sector in the State.
The Councilor assured the Minister that the government of Netherlands is ready to extend technological know-how, farm machinery and elite planting material for agriculture, horticulture, floriculture and dairy farming to Jammu and Kashmir.
He said the experts of his government will be visiting Kashmir soon to provide technical guidance for setting of Centers of Excellences and high density fruit plants in the State. He also presented a memento as a token of love from his Country to the Horticulture Minister.
The Horticulture Minister while briefing them about the rich horticulture potential of Jammu and Kashmir, said previously tourism was thought to be the only thrust area for the state economy, but horticulture is now being given due focus as it has tremendous potential for employment generation and economic revival.
He said the similarities in climate between European countries and Jammu and Kashmir make it possible to grow all types of high-value crops at very low cost.
The Minister said the new rootstocks will help improve the production of different fruits and will play pivotal role in replacing the old and senile orchards, adding it will improve the overall economy of the growers.
The agriculture Councilor to the Netherlands government assured that sufficient support for the production of quality planting material of high density fruit shall be made available by the Dutch experts.
