Government to Buy Apples Directly From Farmers in Jammu & Kashmir

Now apples grown in Jammu & Kashmir will be purchased directly from farmers by the government-run National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED) and the entire procedure will be completed till 15^th December, officials announced today (10 September 2019).

The announcement came after terrorists threatened few apple growers not to sell their produce in the mandi following abolition of the special status given to Jammu & Kashmir under Article 370 & bifurcation of the state into 2 Union Territories.

A government official told that "The Indian government has announced procurement of apples cultivated in Jammu & Kashmir in the current season 2019. NAFED will finish the entire process of procurement through designated state government agencies by 15 December".

The aim of NAFED is to promote co-operative marketing of agricultural produce to benefit the cultivators. The procurement will be directly made from authentic apple farmers and the state administration will ensure direct payment in bank accounts of these growers via direct benefit transfer (DBT).

The official said all groups or categories of apples (A, B & C) will be procured from the apple producing districts in Jammu & Kashmir and designated wholesale markets in Shopian, Sopore & Srinagar.

Reasonable rates for different categories will be set by the price committee that includes a member from the National Horticulture Board. The Quality Committee will guarantee proper grading of varieties of apples.

Another official said that the implementation & coordination committee at the state level will be headed by Jammu & Kashmir Chief Secretary while Union Ministries of Agriculture & Home Affairs and other central agencies will supervise & manage smooth implementation of the scheme.

National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on 7^th September 2019 said that 750 trucks carrying apples leave the valley daily for trade in other regions of the country.

Following diktats of the Pakistan-based handlers to hamper the trading of fruits, 2 terrorists last Friday attacked family members of a well-known fruit merchant in Sopore and injured his son and granddaughter.

To recall, normal life in Jammu and Kashmir has been disrupted following imposition of restrictions since 5^th August when the BJP Government announced its decision to abrogate provisions of Article 370 & bifurcate the state into 2 Union Territories. Although restrictions were lifted in many regions, business establishments continue to remain closed and there has been less attendance in schools & colleges in the Valley.