ZT NEWS NETWORK
Srinagar: The Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers and Dealers Union, representing lakhs of fruit growers of Kashmir, has sought the re-introduction of the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for Kashmir apples.
In a letter written to Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minster for Agriculture, Government of India; Naveen Kumar Chaudhary, Principal Secretary to Government, Horticulture Department, J&K and Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, the farmers have highlighted the challenges of this year in the face of Covid19 conditions and the imperative of MIS.
Ziraat Times here reproduces the letter verbatim for its readers:
His Excellency,
With great respects and humble submission it is informed that in the year 2006 the Government of the time had introduced a Scheme known as “Market Intervention Scheme” under which “C” Grade Apple was purchased from the Fruit Growers of the Valley through Horticulture, P&M Department against the rates fixed by the Government leaving exclusively “A” Grade and “B” Grade apple available with Fruit Growers/Dealers for Marketing. Though the said Scheme was lateron disbanded but re-introduced again in the year 2016-17 and disbanded thereafter once again. During period the said scheme (MI Scheme) was in-force it was treated a friendly related Scheme with benefit to Valley Based Fruit Growers/Dealers.
It may be submitted here that about 21 lack to 22 lack Metric tons of Apple Crop is annually produced by the Fruit Growers of the Valley and about 25% of the total produce usually turns the shape of “C’ Grade, however during the present Fruit season i.e. (year 2020) there are possibility of “C” Grade Apple to the extent of more than 50% of the total Crop. The Valley Based Fruit Growers/Dealers are, therefore, extremely worried with apprehension of heavy losses.
In fact curfew like restrictions and Lockdown imposed by the Government since March 2020 in entire Valley due to outbreak of Covid-19 (Coronavirus) the Fruit Growers/Dealers of the Valley could not move out and spray pesticides, insecticides, and fungicides and fertilize in their Fruit orchards resulting of turning of more than 50% of the total Apple produce into the Shape of ‘‘C” Grade.
The natural climatic disturbances like gusty winds, hailstorm, and stormy winds added additional miseries with culling of most of the Apple Crop from the trees in fruit Orchards accumulating heaps of “Fallen/Ghiran” apple in every fruit orchard of the Valley causing additional heavy losses to Fruit Growers of the Valley when about the 10 lacs of families are directly or indirectly connected for their livelihood with this Fruit Industry which presently looks at its tail end. In fact “fallen/Ghiran” consignments of apple are usually sent to Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Fruit Mandi, if these “Fallen/Ghiran” is also treated at par with “C” Grade apple the grading of remaining apple will extremely improve with “A” Grade & “B” Grade exclusively.
Under the circumstances explained above his Excellency is requested kindly look into the matter seriously and consider the following demands well in advance so that survival of the Fruit Industry of the Valley could become possible which generates maximum employment opportunities easing un-employment problem of the Government:-
- Re-Introduction of “Market Intervention Scheme” from 15th August of every year fixing with cost price of Rs.30/- per kg of “C” Grade Apple as well as “fallen/Ghiran” apple.
- Consideration of culled (fallen/Ghiran) apple within the purview if “Market Intervention Scheme” and treated at par with “C” Grade.
It may be pertinent to add it here that the re-introduction of “Market Intervention Scheme” will open a path for standard and efficient grading of Apple Crop and exclusively “A” Grade & “B” Grade Apple will remain available for Marketing with expectation to boost Fruit Industry which Industry is tread as BackBone” of States’ Economy.
With great regards,
Yours sincerely,
Bashir Ahmad Basheer
CHAIRMAN
Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers cum Dealers Union
PRESIDENT
The New Kashmir Fruit Association