J&K to import rootstocks from Holland to improve yield

SRINAGAR: The Jammu & Kashmir Agro Industries Development Corporation will import high-yield rootstocks and fruit planting material from Holland to improve horticulture production in the state.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed to this effect between the Jammu and Kashmir State Agro Industries Development Corporation Limited and CIJ Griba India Private Limited, an official spokesman said today.

He said the MoU was signed yesterday by the managing director of the corporation, A M Bhat, and director of the private company Andreas De Rossi.

Under the agreement, the corporation will import fruit planting material and rootstocks of apple, pear, cherry, walnut, pomegranate, almonds, citrus, olives and grapes from Holland, the spokesman said.

This material will be provided to the orchardists and the State Horticulture Department, he said.

The new rootstocks will help improve the production of different fruits and will play a pivotal role in replacing the old and senile orchards, the spokesman said, adding it will improve the overall economy of the growers.

ClJ Griba has established demo orchards at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology (SKUAST) and will also impart training to farmers in best practices for effective orchard management.