SRINAGAR, AUG 28: The Jammu & Kashmir Fruits & Vegetable Processing & Integrated Cold Chain Association (JKPICCA) has issued an appeal to cold-store owners, growers, farmers, dealers and transporters to ensure a disciplined, quality-focused and smooth fruit season.
In a public notice issued on August 28, JKPICCA said crates for cold storage may be provided from September 14, with the process to be completed by September 19.
It said the arrival, unloading and storage of fruit produce should commence only from September 20–21 onwards, urging cold-store owners to inform growers well in advance and adhere strictly to the agreed schedule.
The association said the arrangement was aimed at serving the common interests of farmers, growers, cold stores, transporters and the wider fruit industry.
Focus on quality
JKPICCA has also urged growers to send only No. 1 quality and properly graded produce for cold storage.
“Growers are requested to inspect and sort the fruit carefully before dispatch,” the association said, stressing that good and inferior-quality fruit should not be mixed in the same crate or stored together.
It said cold stores are intended to preserve quality produce and are not meant to improve sub-standard fruit.
The association advised growers against sending damaged, sub-standard or otherwise unsuitable produce for cold storage, saying such fruit should preferably be sold directly in fruit markets.
JKPICCA further appealed to farmer associations, fruit-market bodies and community representatives to communicate the message to growers and promote adherence to quality standards.
Cold stores urged to improve access, parking
The association has also called upon cold-store owners to make reasonable arrangements for access roads, unpaved paths and parking areas around their facilities.
Where required, it said, roads should be levelled and strengthened with gravel to facilitate proper parking of vehicles and ensure that main roads remain clear for public traffic.
JKPICCA described the appeal as a collective effort aimed at benefiting farmers, growers, cold-store owners, transporters, dealers and the entire fruit-growing community.
The association urged all stakeholders to work with discipline, honesty, quality consciousness and mutual cooperation to make the forthcoming fruit season more organised and successful.
The notice was issued by JKPICCA President Bashir Ahmad Naik.
