Doda, March 25: Assar-Kanderi belt–the major vegetable producer belt of Doda district is all set to have much needed Mandi facility this April, while another local Mandi is coming up in the Peryote area of the District.
The information was given at a meeting chaired by Deputy Commissioner Doda Vikas Sharma convened to review the performance of Agriculture and allied departments and resolve the issues pertaining to Horticulture Planning and Marketing department. The meeting also discussed the headway made towards realization of Olive cultivation potential under One District One Product (ODOP) programme.
The Deputy Commissioner asked the Area Marketing Officer to create local mandis in consultation with ADCs, SDMs and farmers in different pockets of the district to facilitate marketing of the local produce.
It was informed that Olive has been proposed as ODOP for District Doda. The DC sought a detailed report on total area under olive cultivation and comparative figures of production year wise for 2019, 2020, and 2021. He also discussed the measures taken to boost the production of olive oil.
It was informed that the crop needs a gestation period of 6 to 7 years and Assar and Ghat are potential areas for its optimal growth and production. It was further informed that high altitudes are not feasible for olive cultivation. The DC asked the concerned to pursue the proposal of promoting walnut under ODOP.
Regarding the Horticulture Planning and Marketing department, the DC asked for the details of Mandis, e-nam registration, and reasons for non operationalization of Peryote Mandi and deadline for starting Kanderi Nalla Mandi.
It was informed that Kanderi Nalla Mandi is likely to be inaugurated in the 1st week of April. Further, the DC asked the Planning section to take up the matter with concerned authorities regarding commissioning of Paryote Mandi so that it can be put to use by the farmers.
The Area Marketing Officer was instructed to issue a Calendar of activities for interaction with farmers in consultation with ADC Bhaderwah and all SDMs and create local viable Mandis in different pockets of the district.
The meeting was attended by CPO Doda, CAO, CHO, AP&MO, and Assistant Floriculture Officer Doda.
