KARGIL, MAY 05, 2021: In connection with distribution and installation of Apricot Solar Crop Dryer cum Space Heating System though the Department of Horticulture Kargil, Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC, Kargil Feroz Ahmad Khan chaired a meeting at Council Secretariat Kurbathang here today.

Executive Councillor for Horticulture Aga Syed Hassan Armaan Mosavi, Executive Councillor for Health Muhammad Ali Chandan, Councillor Sodh Kacho Ahmad Ali Khan, Councillor TSG Block Aga Syed Mujtaba Mosavi, Councillor Tambis Aga Syed Mehdi, Councillor Chiktan Mohsin Ali, Councillor Poyen Muhammad Amin, Councillor Minji Ghulam Mehdi, Councillor Chuliskamboo Altaf Hussain, Chief Horticulture Officer (CHO), Kargil Ali Raza besides other concerned officers were present during the meeting.

During the course of the meeting, the District Horticulture Officer Kargil informed that a total of 172 units of apricot solar dryers are going to be distributed this year among farmers on 90 percent subsidy. He further said that the actual cost of the solar dryer is Rs 2.60 lakh per unit out of which the farmers have to pay only 10 percent cost @ Rs 26000.

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CEC Feroz Ahmad Khan while underlining the benefits of the subsidy scheme urged the Councillors to create massive awareness about the solar dryer in their respective constituencies. He further instructed the District Horticulture Officer to create mass level awareness via radio and social media platforms so that maximum number of farmers can get the benefit of the subsidy scheme.

CHO Ali Raza informed that last year 140 out of 150 solar dryers were distributed among farmers in different parts of the district. He further said that the dryer is a multipurpose machine and can be used to dry other fruits and vegetables as well, adding it dries apricot in 6 normal sun days.

The CHO further informed the meeting that Kargil District produces 10656 tons of apricot every year which turns into 682 metric tons after drying. He also said that the apricot production adds Rs 30.28 crore in the annual income of the district of which Rs 27.28 crore comes from apricot fruit, 1.53 crore from apricot nuts, and the remaining from the apricot nut oil.