Special package for hail storm affected fruit growers in J&K

Srinagar Aug 21 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to provide a special package to fruit growers whose 75 per cent fruit crop has been damaged due to hailstorm.

An official spokesman said as a special measure to provide immediate relief to these in the valley, particularly Dachnipora in Bijbehara due to the hailstorm this year, the government today decided to procure c-grade fruit at the rate of Rs 6 per kg in these areas under Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) with the immediate effect.

However, the procurement rate in other areas would remain at the rate of Rs 5 per kg only.

He said this was decided at a high level meeting held here today to review the implementation of MIS scheme which is being considered since the last three years, to provide price support to the fruit growers, hence improve quality of packaging and grading the fruits imperative to withstand stiff competition in the open market.

The government has decided to procure about 27,000 metric tons (mts) of c-grade apple including (26,500 mts of apple from Kashmir Valley and 500 mts From Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban districts of Jammu division) and 3000 mts of Sandy Pear/Quince from districts of Udhampur, Reasi, Rajouri and Poonch of Jammu during the current financial year and apricot in Ladakh.

UNI