J&K formulates new post-harvest technology scheme
Jammu and Kashmir Government has formulated a new scheme to promote post-harvest technology, which is due to be taken up for implementation during the 11th Five-year Plan in the State.
"The Agriculture Department has formulated a new scheme to promote post-harvest technology, which ought to be taken up for implementation during the 11th Five-year Plan," said Principal Secretary to Agriculture Production Department Sonali Kumar while inaugurating here a two-day workshop on 'Post-harvest Technology and Management (PHTM)'.
"The basic aim of the scheme is to create adequate infrastructure in the production catchments/rural areas for primary processing and value addition, so as to reduce post-harvest losses on the farm to mop up surpluses at farm level and ensure better price for the producer.
"Besides, the scheme is also aimed at availability of the produce in the production catchments itself at a reasonable price for consumers in these areas," she said.
Kumar further said the scheme would focus on lower end of the spectrum of post-harvest management and processing that were not covered under the Ministry of Food Processing Programmes or under the National Horticulture Mission.
The Principal Secretary informed that under the scheme, the technologies developed by ICAR, CSIR and those identified from within the country and abroad for primary processing, value addition, low-cost scientific storage/transport of cereals, pulses, oilseeds, sugarcane, vegetables, fruits and the crop bi-product management shall be given thrust.