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New Delhi:
Highlighting the angst of Jammu and Kashmir apple growers who have not been in a position to promote their crop due to the coronavirus pandemic and lockdowns, Lt Governor GC Murmu has written to the Ministry of Home Affairs, demanding extension of the Market Intervention Scheme below which the federal government procures the produce.
“The breakout of COVID-19 has disrupted the market supply chain yet again and has created unique challenges for marketing apples. This has necessitated the extension of scheme for at least one more year. I request the Government of India to extend the market intervention scheme for apple of Jammu and Kashmir for 2020-21. An agreed implementation mechanism with NAFED is already in place,” the letter mentioned.
Last 12 months, the Centre had launched the Market Intervention Scheme for apples for the 2019 season. It had procured 15.9 thousand metric tonnes of apple at a complete value of Rs 70.52 crore. The transfer had performed an vital function in stabilising costs and stopping misery gross sales.
The officers are ready for a go-ahead from the federal government to increase the scheme. “We are waiting for a final go ahead and then we will start procurement this season too,” a senior bureaucrat within the MHA informed NDTV.
He mentioned the scheme’s token system will assist preserve social distancing amongst apple merchants.
“Traders are given tokens so that they don’t crowd market places. As per quality and grading and quantity of their apples, a slip is given and then government transfers money directly to their banks via the Internet,” he defined.
The Apple Industry is the spine of Jammu and Kashmir’s economic system. With a manufacturing of greater than 2 million metric tons and a market dimension of Rs 10,000 crore, the Union Territory accounts for 84 per cent of the full manufacturing of the fruit within the nation
The apple trade, which gives employment to round 27 per cent individuals in Jammu and Kashmir, has been going through losses primarily on account of frequent closure of the nationwide freeway between Srinagar and Jammu, lack of market integration and info asymmetry.
“The MIS for apple for Jammu and Kashmir empowered the apple grower and increased their confidence. It ensured the take-off of private trade under extremely challenging circumstances. The procurement was directly from growers and the response to the scheme was overwhelming,” a senior officer within the Valley mentioned.
Apple growers say the scheme helped them an excellent deal final 12 months, when the previous state remained shut after the revocation of its particular standing.
“This scheme is very good for us. Last year, after Article 370 was abolished, we were very worried about our produce but the Centre helped us. We did not suffer any loss. Hope this year too they approve this scheme,” Abdul Wani of Shopian informed NDTV.
“Due to corona this year, we are facing a lot of issues related to transport. We have to get tested before we are allowed to go out of Kashmir; that’s why we want the government to allow procurement through NAFED this year too,” mentioned Jaffar Ahmed Mir, an apple grower.
According to him, final 12 months, by way of the MIS, cash was transferred on to particular person financial institution accounts. “For a box, I got the entire money. I did not have to pay any aggregator in between,” he explains.
Majority of fruit growers within the Valley have similar experiences with the scheme.
“Few major mandis in Srinagar, Parampora, Shopian in the Valley and Narwal in Jammu were allowed to operate during coronavirus times, also for cherry. We were able to send plums too but marketing apples is going to be a big challenge, so we hope Delhi listens,” Aijaz Bhat, Director, Jammu and Kashmir Horticulture, mentioned.
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