Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir administration has launched a market intervention scheme to provide optimum price to apple growers. Ajaz Ahmad Bhat, director, Horticulture Kashmir has claimed that move is set to benefit apple growers across the state.
Speaking to ETV Bharat, Ajaz Ahmad Bhat said that rate fluctuation and other factors including storage and procurement is causing distress in the community.
"The government has decided to launch market intervention scheme in view of rate fluctuation and other factors causing distress," Ajaz Ahmad said.
It will be implemented by the Directorate of Planning and Marketing, supported by the Directorate of Horticulture (Kashmir) and Jammu and Kashmir Horticultural Produce, Marketing and Processing Corporation Ltd.
Apple produce will be procured and marketed by the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED), and apple growers will get more remuneration for various grades of apple.
The objective of the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED) is to promote co-operative marketing of agricultural produce to benefit farmers.
He also stressed the need for farming communities to become aware of their rights and strengthen themselves so as not to get exploited by market forces, causing farmers to suffer losses.
"There is no compulsion to give the produce to the government. The farmer can decide based on the right amount he gets. The government will be a facilitator in the MIS scheme," he added.
The procurement will be made directly from genuine apple growers and the state administration will ensure direct payment in bank accounts of apple growers through direct benefit transfer (DBT).
All categories of apples i.e. A, B and C will be procured from all the apple-producing districts in Jammu and Kashmir as well as designated mandis (wholesale markets) in Sopore, Shopian and Srinagar.
Fair prices for various categories will be fixed by the price committee that includes a member from the National Horticulture Board.Quality Committee will ensure proper grading of varieties of apples.
Read: J&K administration to launch scheme for procurement of apples
