J&K admin may launch scheme next week for procurement of apples

The Jammu and Kashmir administration may launch a scheme next week to procure apples from growers in Kashmir to ensure good remunerative prices for them.

The NAFED may be announced the market intervention scheme (MIS) on September 10, an official spokesperson said on Friday.

The administration has roped in the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) to procure over half of the total apple produce to benefit more than seven lakh apple growers.

Already, a team from the NAFED has arrived here to finalise the modalities for the procurement process, the spokesperson said adding that the scheme will benefit orchardists of the Kashmir Valley to a large extent.

On September 4, Deputy Commissioner of Srinagar Shahid Iqbal Choudhary visited the Parimpora fruit mandi and took stock of preparations for operationalisation of the scheme.

"Procurement by NAFED will help bring greater value for every single fruit... transportation hassles will also get removed," the deputy commissioner said.

He said farmers will get additional income, while the payments will be hassle-free involving direct transfer to the bank accounts.

The J&K Horticulture Planning and Marketing Board was asked to provide office space and procurement platforms to the NAFED, he said adding that the concerned departments were also asked to provide uninterrupted power and water supplies to the mandi.

Iqbal along with Aijaz A Bhat, director of Horticulture Kashmir, inspected the facilities available at the mandi and also interacted with the local traders.