Food Minister suggests to encourage organic cherry in GB

Islamabad: The federal Food Minister has urged to encourage Organic cherry and apricot market for the growth of agriculture in Gilgit Baltistan.

The federal minister said that Gilgit Baltistan produced 350,000 tons of organic cherry. However, it wasted 30-40% according to a survey done by JICA.

Of a total of 2 million tons of apricot produced, it wasted around 40% and 80% of the total mulberry.

The agriculture minister said that the agriculture sector of Gilgit Baltistan is in dire need of marketing and investment to pick up the sector. There are various varieties of apples and a total of approximately 0.9 million tons of Gilgit Baltistan has produced.

The federal minister has proposed dehydrating and juicing fruit for value addition in GB. The federal minister also asked to encourage organic farming. He also suggested a jam production is a viable option for the preservation of fruit pulp and support the cottage industry of Gilgit Baltistan.

Moreover, trout farming is growing in Gilgit Baltistan and the farmers are sending frozen throughout the country. They have sent 15 tons of frozen trout throughout the country

The minister of agriculture of Gilgit Baltistan, Kazim Meesam in the Ministry called on Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Syed Fakhar Imam on Friday.

Jamshed Iqbal Cheema, SAPM on Food Security and Secretary Agriculture Gilgit Baltistan joined the meeting as well.

Syed Fakhar Imam said that the Ministry will do everything to facilitate Gilgit Baltistan. The minister told the federal minister that the government has granted Rs 3.75 billion for Agriculture extension and research for 4 years.

The federal ministry has endorsed projects. The federal minister also claimed that the government was making effort for the first time to push agriculture forward with great zeal and zest.

Meanwhile, agriculture minister Gilgit Baltistan said that they face issues regarding Phytosanitary systems and Certification and would like the federal ministry’s assistance on the matters.