Kashmir’s cherry growers are in acute agony: Fruit Grower Unions write to LG Administration

Ziraat Times News

Srinagar: Kashmir’s two influential fruit growers’ associations – Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union and the New Kashmir Fruit Association – have written to the Lt Governor’s administration in J&K, drawing its attention to the acute agony facing the cherry fruit growers due to the lock down and.

Ziraat Times here reproduces the letter written by Bashir Ahmad Basheer, president of New Kashmir Fruit Association and chairman of Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union:

Appeal for kind attention of Lt. Governor’s Administration

The Governor’s Administration are fully aware that about 13000-15000 metric tons of certain varieties of Cherry is annually produced by the Cherry Growers of the Valley and 60% total produce are from Makhmali and Mishri varieties which are exclusively as per prospects transported to Mumbai Mandi through Air cargo or by railway. Since Mumbai is extremely hit by Covid-19 and in view of threat of further spread of Covid-19 there are curfew like situation in Mumbai, the Fruit Mandi Mumbai is, therefore, completely closed for any business with the result the Valley Based Cherry Growers are not, therefore, in a position to send their Makhmali and Mishri varieties of Cherry to Mumbai in view of prevailing situation.

In fact cherry crop is extremely delicious fruit and same warrants to the transported exclusively by Air or by Superfast Railway. In this connection the Management of KVFG Union took up the matter with concerned Authorities of Lt. Governors administration and Airline Authorities as well for providing air facilities/Railway facilities for transportation of Cherry to different stations of the Country but it is unfortunate that despite of vigorous follow up the Governor’s Administration failed to provide thee facilities with the result the poor Cherry Growers of the Valley are in acute mental agony.

This Union have also suggested and make a humble request to the               Lt. Governors administration for consideration of minimum support of prices of Cherry of Rs.100/- per kg so that poor Cherry Growers of the Valley who have constantly suffered heavy losses since devastating flood of 2014 may feel a sigh of relief but it is unfortunate that the governors administration did not pay any attention of the said proposal till date leaving poor Cherry Growers of the valley in continued distress. It is not understood when at the time of natural disaster the Government in Maharashtra and in other states of the country provide minimum support the farmers why same is not provided Cherry Growers of the Valley.

One variety of Cherry is called “DOUBLE CHERRY” and is lifted by the factory walas for canning purposing when all Canning Factories in and outside J&K (UT) are presently non functional in view of Covid-19 , even in Manufacturing Units are also closed though the Management of this Union had a meeting with Canning Owners Association and stressed them for lifting of “DOUBLE CHERRY” but they ate reluctant to lift the Double cherry for Canning in view of closure of Canning Factories and uncertainty of its marketing.

Since there is every apprehension of about total damage of Cherry Crop this year in view of  restrictions imposed by the Govt in view of spread of Covid-19 the Cherry Growers of the valley are, therefore, afraid of losses of thousand Crores of rupees when about 10 lack families are directly or indirectly connected with this Industry, in case if preventive ,measures are not taken well in advance there is threat of turning of Fruit Industry of J&K (UT) which is treated as Backbone of State’s economy into a Sick Industry.

In view of position explained above the cherry growers of the valley are requested kindly adhere strictly on the following directions:-

1. All Cherry Growers of the Valley from north and south side are strictly directed that they may kindly fully damaged the inferior quality of all varieties of Cherry including Double Cherry Makhmali and Mishri Cherry as well and sent exclusively fully coloured and top quality of Cherry to Mandi’s for Marketing.
2. Only fully coloured Double cherry may kindly sent to be Mandi’s.

• The superior quality of cherry is expected to fetch its return.

The Lt. Governor’s Administration is once again requested kindly consider minimum support prices of all varieties of cherry to tune of Rs. 100/- per kg so that the poor cherry Growers who have constantly suffered heavy losses could have a sigh of relief.