Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura today ordered constitution of a Committee to work out the modalities for promotion and marketing of Mushkbudji - Kashmir’s indigenous aromatic rice variety.The Committee comprises Director Agriculture Kashmir, Managing Director, J&K State Agro Industries Development Corporation (SAIDC) and Director Research SKUAST-Kashmir.The Minister announced the decision to constitute the committee at a meeting convened here today to review the functioning of J&K State Agro Industries Development Corporation.The meeting was informed that the heritage Mushkbudji rice is mostly cultivated in Sagam area of district Anantnag and 6093 quintals of production was recorded during the current year.The Minister called for expanding cultivation of Mushkbudji rice in other areas of the Valley including Raithan, Khansahab and Tangmarg which have the tremendous scope for growing Mushkbudji rice. He said the production of Mushkbudji rice on commercial scale would not only help revival of this heritage variety but will also boost the local economy.
Taking stock of modernization of Khonmoh division of SAIDC, the Minister directed the concerned to come up with a detailed project report in this regard for the perusal of the administrative department.Construction of Cold Storage facility at Lal Mandi was also discussed and it was given out that Rs 4 crore have been sanctioned for the project but till date no funds were released for the purpose.Mr. Hanjura took a serious note of non-seriousness in follow up of pending issues and directed the concerned to nominate Nodal Officers for regular follow up action on key issues.Threadbare discussions were held on various issues including deputation of officers to SAIDC, supply of machinery and equipment by SAIDC, clearance of annual audit accounts, construction of Head Office Complex and flood relief.Detailed discussion was also held on promotion and marketing of honey. The Minister directed the Director Agriculture Kashmir to come up with a comprehensive plan for increasing the production of honey to meet the growing market demand. He also asked the Managing Director, SAIDC to submit a proposal for upgradation of honey processing plant at Khonmoh.Financial Commissioner, Agriculture Production Department, Pramod Kumar Jain, Director Agriculture, Kashmir, Director Research SKAUST Kashmir, Managing Director SAIDC, Director Finance APD, Joint Director Agriculture Kashmir and other officers of SAIDC and APD departments were present in the meeting.