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| Cold stores for 4 lakh metric ton apples needed, available facility can hold only 1.4 lakh tons | | Horticulture sector in for real trouble as apple plucking commences in Kashmir | | Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Sep 3: Notwithstanding the assurance of the Governor Satpal Malik that NAFARD will purchase fifty percent of the fruit produced in the Valley, the horticulture sector is in for real trouble this time.
The cold stores in Kashmir can hold only 1.5 metric tons while as the Valley needs stores for 4 lakh metric tons of fruit this year.
"The plucking of fruit has already started and we need at least 100 trucks every day to carry the fruit to various markets. If the government fails to provide the required number of trucks within the next few days, the trouble will start," Wali Muhammad, a grower from Hygam, Baramulla said.
An official of the Horticulture department said the apples and pear need to be transported to the markets as soon as possible. "Apples and pear perish if not handled properly and any delay can cause loss of crores of rupees," he said.
According to him, transportation of walnut can be delayed for some time. "However, it must reach the markets before Diwali," he said adding if NAFARD lifts fifty percent of the fruit the problem will be solved to a great extent.
He said the valley produced 2.7 metric ton walnuts , nine thousand metric ton pear and 18 lakh metric ton apples.
Pertinently life in Kashmir is paralysed for the past thirty days following repeal and amendment of Article 35 A and Article 370 of the Indian constitution which conferred special status on the state. |
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