Srinagar, Aug 04: The Union government on Tuesday informed the Lok Sabha that it is strengthening high-density apple plantations, cold storage infrastructure and export promotion initiatives across north Kashmir, including Baramulla, to help growers meet global standards and improve market access. The minister said high density apple plantations are being promoted under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme and the Jammu & Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement of Agriculture and Allied Sectors Project. On storage infrastructure, the government said five Controlled Atmosphere storage units with a combined capacity of 18,500 metric tonnes have already been established in Baramulla. It added that 28 cold storage and cold chain projects have been approved across Kashmir under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund. The minister further informed the House that 244.646 hectares have been brought under the High Density Plantation Programme in Baramulla since 2016, benefiting 599 growers.