The Apple Sector is the lifeline of Kashmir and many families as it has annual turnover Rs 8000 crore and is direct or indirect source of income to at least 7 lakh families in Jammu and Kashmir. So, the government has decided to directly buy apples from apple growers in Jammu and Kashmir.
The schemes, christened as Market Intervention Scheme for Apples of J&K, aims to provide optimum prices to the apple growers. It has been approved by the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, under the aegis of Ministry of Home Affairs, for the current apple harvesting season.
In J&K, the scheme will be implemented by the Directorate of Planning and Marketing, supported by the Directorate of Horticulture (Kashmir) and Jammu and Kashmir Horticultural Produce, Marketing and Processing Corporation Ltd.
“With the scheme, the government wants to lay focused attention on providing every possible support to the apple growers right from their orchards to the market.
Several apple growers, who are most affected by the current situation in the valley, have welcomed the step.
Nazir Ahmad, an apple grower from Baramulla says this scheme will definitely help us as apple production is the only source of income for us.
