Monitor News Bureau
SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 06: The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Baseer Ahmad Khan today said that Government is launching shortly a Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for Procurement of Apple Produce from the growers of Kashmir Valley through National Agricultural Produce Marketing Federation (NAFED) soon so as to ensure good remunerative prices for apple growers.
The Divisional Commissioner made these remarks while reviewing the logistic arrangements for the launch of NAFED based Market Intervention Scheme in the valley. The Scheme shall be specific for J&K only. The procurement shall be made on rates higher than what the farmers are getting now.
Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Dr Shahid Iqbal, Additional Commissioner Kashmir, Director Horticulture, Senior Manager NAFED and other concerned officers were present in the meeting whereas Deputy Commissioners of Baramulla, Kupwara, Shopian, Anantnag and Pulwama participated the meeting through video conferencing.
During the meeting, it was given out that a team from National Agricultural Produce Marketing Federation (NAPMF) has arrived in the J&K to finalize the modalities for procurement with the Government.
Div Com further said that the Market Intervention Scheme will be initially rolled out in Sopore, Srinagar and Shopian Fruit Mandis and Horticulture Planning and Marketing department would be its nodal agency.
The meeting was informed that Officers of National Horticulture Board will certify the quality and quantity of Apple crop and payment will be made to the fruit growers through Aadhaar Based Direct Bank Transfer (DBT) mode in their bank accounts. The main aim of the scheme is to eliminate middlemanship and providing a hassle-free environment to the orchardists with remunerative prices for their Apple crop without Mandi fees.
Div Com directed concerned Deputy Commissioners to provide round the clock basic amenities at Sopore, Srinagar and Shopian fruit Mandis with transport & cold storage arrangements besides installation of additional weighing machines, registration, token and transportation counters, display boards, control room cum grievance cell, availability of one crore apple crates with sufficient labour force and other logistic arrangements.
Khan directed Horticulture department to work dedicatedly and maintain close coordination with concerned Deputy Commissioners for the successful launch of Apple Market Intervention Scheme across the Valley.
