Under PMDP, 5 apricot solar dryer cum space heating with energy storage on 90% subsidized rate was installed on July 28 at different locations in Kargil on a trail basis.

Manzoor Ahmad Lone, Secretary Horticulture J&K inaugurated the dryers at Minjee Kargil.

The motive of Government to provide these Solar Dryers is to reduce the wastage caused due to traditional drying system. The solar dryer will reduce the time of drying from 20 days to two days. 

Manzoor Ahmad Lone said that using of scientific methods in drying of Apricot will also increase the grading and its marketability.

He directed the implementing agency Neoclorus Energy Solutions Pvt Ltd. to install all the allotted apricot dryers in Kargil this year only and the officers of Horticulture Department Kargil to identify the beneficiaries according to the norms and Parameters already set.

He further added that it will increase the economic potential of the farmers of Kargil who has a total area of 1900 hectares for production of fresh fruit. 7,800 metric tons of Apricot is produced as the main cash crop.

A cold Storage powered fully by Solar Energy with a capacity of 1000 metric tons will be constructed in Kargil soon once the land allotment process completes.

 

Yogendra Singh, Senthil Kumar and Vikrant Yadav, Scientist from National Institutes of Solar Energy, Naveen Ghalawat, Founder, Neoclorous Energy Solutions Pvt Ltd, Chief Horticulture Officer Kargil and other officers of the department were present.

Vikrant Yadav, Junior Research Scientist said that the main job of the Solar Dryer is to dry apricot during apricot season but during winter it will act as Space Heating system. The system will work 24 hours with the help of energy storage.

This will revolutionize the sector of Solar Dryer and Space Heating and will become great assets for the farmers.