Saahil Suhail
Early Times Report
Anantnag, Sept 16: Days after the announcement of union Government, the by National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED) today formally started procurement of apples in South Kashmir's Anantnag district.
The NAFED teams, despite hostile atmosphere, begin procurement of apples at Batengoo Fruit Mandi in Anantnag district.
"On the first day around 1000 apples boxes were procured from the farmers directly," Horticulture department officials assisting the NAFED team told Early Times.
They said that around 1200 registered orchardists have so far registered themselves with the department. Deputy Commissioner Anantnag, Khalid Jahingir visited the fruit mandi and took stock of the arrangements for the farmers and National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation team.
"The first and the best benefit for the farmers is that the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation has fixed the minimum price for apples this year and it is going to revolutionize the fruit industry of Kashmir," said Farooq Ahmad.
Officers said that despite threats from 'anti-social elements' famers have responded positively and are getting themselves registered with the agency.
In Shopain district of South Kashmir, a few days ago, suspected militants have damaged thousands of apples boxes and orchards' in few villages. Also, posters threatening famers and asking them to not pluck apples continue to appear in Southern Kashmir.
Earlier this week, the government decided to directly buy apples from apple growers in Jammu and Kashmir under the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme that offers direct transfer subsidies to the bank account of individuals. The apple procurement for the current season will be completed by National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED) by December 15 and the money will be transferred into the bank accounts of the apple growers.
According to a notification, NAFED will complete the procurement through designated state government agencies. According to the notification all categories of apples, i.e A, B and C will be procured from all the apple producing districts in Jammu and Kashmir as well as designated mandis in Sopore, Shopian, Srinagar and Anantnag.
The notification also stated that the implementation and coordination committee at the state level will be chaired by the Chief Secretary. "Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Home Affairs and other Central agencies will oversee smooth implementation of the Scheme," it added.
With revenue of around Rs 1,200 crore a year, apple cultivation is the backbone of the Kashmir economy. This year Kashmir is set to produce around 20 metric tons of apples. |
