September 06
Peer Imtiyaz
Dry fruit is an important source of our economy to Kashmir, so it needs to be developed at a very high pace.
Although hazelnut is not a fruit variety of Kashmir but earlier it was brought from Italy under Indo-Italian Project & cultured at Lehanwan-Gowran Farm of Kokernag Tehsil under the foot hills of Margan Top occupying 420 canals of land.
Almost 3500 plants of hazelnut are grown in this farm with the annual production of ten quintles (1000kg) costing Rs 200/kg.
The locals told The Kashmiriyat that this farm lacks all basic facilities like power supply, watering units, fencing & high tech equipment & tools.
Only two regular employees are working in this huge farm while as eight other employees are daily waged for last ten years.
The locals also appeal to the authorities to pay special attention towards this hazelnut farm & frame a developing plan for the improvement of this unique project.