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| Apple growers not succumbing to militant threats | | | Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Oct 22: Not bowing before the militant threats, the apple growers of Kashmir have exported almost 30 percent production in this year so far.
Venting their anger following the abrogation of Article 370, and bifurcation of the state into two union territories, the militants have threatened the apple growers not to export the production and to bear the losses.
However, the apple growers are not succumbing to such threats. This could be gauged that Kashmir has witnessed an increase in the apple exports by 2 lakh metric tonnes so far.
As per the official figures, 7.40 lakh metric tonnes of apple have been exports so far. While the last year, it was 5.43 lakh metric tonnes till date.
An official said that "We have procured 2 lakh apple boxes, which is 2400 metric tonnes of apples from growers so far under the market intervention scheme. We did the business of over Rs 10 crore and almost Rs 8 crore have been disbursed to apple growers so far. Most of the apple growers have exported the apple on their own and did not avail the benefit of the scheme."
The government last month launched the market intervention scheme to ease the difficulties faced by apple growers amid clampdown in Kashmir.
It was launched in association with the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED).
He said that there has been a good response since October 7, when the government revised the rates of various grades of apple.
"As per the government order, the payment has to be disbursed within three days after procurement of apple. Sometimes it may take five days. We will continue this scheme till December 15 and may extend the date if the need arises. This scheme is working in a hassle free manner and apple growers are benefitting from the scheme," he said.
The initial rates for A grade apple was (Rs 52), B (Rs 36) and C (Rs 15.75). The revised rates for A grade apple is (Rs 58), B (Rs 42) and C (Rs 22).
Around 4000 growers have been registered under the scheme so far.
Every year Kashmir exports 20 lakh metric tons of apple to outside states mostly potential fruit markets of India including Azadpur fruit mandi in New Delhi, Amritsar, Mumbai and Bangalore. |
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