Hi-tech apple grading machines transforming Kashmir’s horticulture sector

Pulwama (J&K) Nov 04 (ANI): New hi-tech apple grading machines are transforming Kashmiri’s horticulture sector. In Pulwama district of South Kashmir, many progressive apple growers have installed these hi-tech apple grading machines and are taking benefits from this new trend. Earlier, Kashmiri orchardists used to do traditional packaging of apples which resulted in losses while transporting these apples boxes to other parts of the country. Now many apple growers have installed these hi-tech machines in Pulwama with the government’s help. Chief Horticulture Officer of Pulwama, Javaid Ahmad Bhat said, “Earlier, our fruit production was getting setback due to poor grading and manual packaging, but now due to introduction of cold storages and hi-tech apple grading machines, now the quality of our grading has improved. Now farmers are installing low cost grading machines not only for their own fruit crops but also for other too. Our department is giving subsidies up to 50 per cent to the farmers who want to install these grading machines. The farmers who have installed these low cost grading machines with government’s help say that they are now earning good profit not only for themselves but other growers are also earning good profits due to good packaging.”