Six lakh families in JK dependent on horticulture: Minister

Jammu: More than six lakh families in Jammu and Kashmir are directly dependent on horticulture as it forms the mainstay of the state’s economy, Minister for Horticulture Abdul Rehman Veeri said.

“Horticulture is the mainstay of the state’s economy as over six lakh families are dependent on this sector” Veeri said while interacting with the fruit sellers at the Narwal fruit Mandi.

He said that the Jammu and Kashmir government would spend five crore rupees for development of Narwal fruit Mandi.

“Naewal mandi area would be expanded and the matter for transfer of 300 kanals of forest land to the Horticulture Marketing and Planning Department would be taken up with the concerned Ministry soon,” he said.

He said that a cold store would also be constructed for improving storage facilities and in this regard government would consider the transfer of eight kanals of HPMC land. (PTI)