Kashmir farmers expect vegetable exports to increase

Srinagar, June 27 (ANI): The vegetable farmers in Kashmir valley are expecting to make a good business this year by exporting vegetable crops.

This has increased hopes for a better income for all vegetable farmers, as the valley which generally does a business of around rupees 1.25 billion a year through vegetables, can now aspire for more income.

The farmers say that due to increase in production, the exports are also likely to increase.

"This year the production is quite good because we received rains on time. The vegetable crop yields were healthy. This year we are expecting to export more than last year," said Irfan, a farmer.

The agriculture department has set an export target of 20, 00,000 metric tonnes this year. Last year the agriculture department had kept a target of 15, 00,000 metric tonne but only 9, 70,000 metric tonne could be exported due to the Amarnath land row agitation.

The export of vegetables during this period is viable due to shortage in other parts of the country.

"The major benefit of vegetable cultivation in our region in this season is that in all other parts of the country, the months of July, August and September are supposed to be the rainy season. During his period, there is always a shortage of vegetables and so the farmers here have started exporting the vegetables in those parts of the country," said Nazir Rather, Assistant Director, Agriculture Department, Jammu And Kashmir.

These vegetables cater to the markets of Jammu region within the state as well as many other states like Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. By Parvez butt(ANI)