SRINAGAR: Director Horticulture Kashmir, Ajaz Ahmad Bhat today held a meeting of officers to discuss modalities for procurement of Apple under Market Intervention Scheme (MIS).
The meeting was attended by Managing Director, NAFED, Sanjeev Kumar Chadha, Chief Horticulture Officers, Stakeholders and growers.
On the occasion, Managing Director, Sanjeev Kumar Chadha, said that in view of the importance of the Horticulture sector, it is desired to have Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) in every District of valley.
Meanwhile, Director Horticulture directed all the Chief Horticulture Officers to establish one FPO in each District.
Further, Director Horticulture today visited Fruit Mandi Parimpora Srinagar in connection with monitoring procurement of Apple under Market Intervention Scheme.
A deputation from Fruit Growers and Marketing Association Parimpora apprised him about certain concerns viz-a-viz implementation of MIS. Director Horticulture assured the deputation for taking up the issues with the concerned authorities.
Director Horticulture highlighted the objectives of the newly launched MIS which are aimed to provide optimum prices to the growers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The scheme will make way for procurement of 12 Lakh Metric Tonne of apples which will not only ensure profitability to the apple growers but at the same time, it will also create rural employment through supplementary services such as packaging, transportation etc.
