Srinagar October 23:(KNS) The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister, GoI approved the extension of Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for apple procurement in Jammu and Kashmir for the current season (2020-21) on the same terms and condition as was done during last season (2019-20).
In this regard, a meeting under the Chairmanship of Sh. Ajaz Ahmad Bhat, KAS Director Horticulture Kashmir was held in the meeting hall of Directorate of Horticulture Kashmir. The meeting was attended by Chief Horticulture Officers, Unit holders of CA Store, Representative of NAFED, Presidents of Fruit Associations and Progressive Fruit Growers.
Director Horticulture informed that the procurement of apple will be done by Central Procuring Agency National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation ltd. (NAFED) through State Designated Agency, Department of Horticulture Kashmir, Directorate of Planning and Marketing, Horticulture Processing and Marketing Corporation (JKHPMC), procurement will be done at Fruit and Vegetable Mandi Kulgam/Anantnag (Jablipora), Shopian (Aahama), Srinagar (Parimpora) and Sopore. Only boxed procurement will be made with three classification of 5, 10 & 15 Kg boxes which will be exclusively weight of packaging material
Further Director Horticulture Kashmir informed that there shall be a price fixation committee for fixing the prices of various grades apple of available varities. The committee shall finalize the rates atleast 3 days before the launch date of 27th October, 2020. He said that the payment shall be made through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into Bank account of apple farmers
Director Horticulture informed that this announcement by the Government will provide an effective marketing platform to apple growers and will facilitate employment generation for the local people. It will ensure remunerative prices for apples resulting in overall income enhancement of farmers in J&K.
Fruit growers are informed to contact their concerned Chief Horticulture Officer and Horticulture Development Officer for registration.(KNS)