SRINAGAR: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) J&K Council today organized the first edition of CII J&K Apple Conclave in Srinagar to empower and enlighten progressive farmers of Kashmir on sustainable practices in apple cultivation.
The conclave, themed ‘Sustainable Innovations for Apple Growers of Kashmir,’ brought together leading experts, farmers, and industry representatives to explore innovative approaches towards enhancing the sustainability and productivity of the apple farming sector in the region.
The event witnessed the presence of distinguished guests, including the Vice-Chancellor of SKUAST-K, Prof. Nazir Ah Ganai; Zahoor Ahmad Bhat, Joint Director, Horticulture; Syed Junaid Altaf Bukhari, Vice Chairman, CII J&K; Anil Arora, Chief Manager (Lubes), Indian Oil; Dr. Rahul Mirchandani, Chairman & MD, Aries Agro Limited and Izhan Javeed, from Orchardly. The conclave delved into discussions on leveraging technology for sustainable practices and enhancing productivity in apple cultivation.
Sharing valuable perspectives at the Apple Conclave, Prof Ganai said, “This Conclave serves as a platform for farmers to gain practical insights and knowledge from experts in the field. Industry stakeholders, academia and progressive farmers must come together to take ahead of the Apple industry and aspire to achieve 25% of orchards as High density.”
Highlighting the pivotal role of technology, Syed Junaid Altaf underscored the significance of latest technological interventions and its potential impact on the apple industry in Kashmir. He said, “The Apple Conclave exemplifies CII J&K’s commitment to fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing among stakeholders in the agricultural ecosystem”.
Anil Arora, said “Apple are grown on 55% of the total cultivation land in Kashmir. It contributes 10% of the GDP of the UT; he highlighted the role of IOCL in the apple ecosystem and its commitment towards apple growers of Kashmir”.
Dr. Rahul Mirchandani, said, “Innovation within the apple ecosystem, such as the utilization of drones, has the potential to significantly transform the industry. These technological advancements can indeed serve as a game changer, revolutionizing the way we approach apple cultivation and management practices.”
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Izhan Javeed from Orchardly emphasized, “Our dedication lies in empowering growers in the region with cutting-edge tools and insights, aimed at optimizing orchard management practices, mitigating risks, and ultimately boosting both the quality and quantity of yield.”
Other speakers who spoke during technical sessions were Zahoor Ahmad Bhatt, Shama Zaidi from Aries Agro, Ramnik Sharma from FIL Industries and Rakesh Kumar, Chief Manager Indian Oil
Technical sessions focused on a diverse range of topics, including advanced cultivation techniques, eco-friendly pest management strategies, efficient water and resource utilization, and market trends in sustainable agriculture.
Attendees had the opportunity to engage with industry leaders and explore solutions designed to optimize productivity while minimizing environmental impact. The session was attended by more than 70 progressive farmers, Industry Representatives, academicians and Government officials.