Low Production Coupled With Increased Imports Take a Toll on Kashmiri Apple Farmers thewire.in - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thewire.in Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Lassipora, located in South Kashmir, becomes a bustling hub of activity even at midnight during the apple harvest season. This region, anticipated to be India's largest apple industry cluster, faces unique challenges in 2023 due to low apple production in Himachal and Kashmir. Mechanical grading and packing processes are gaining popularity, saving time and ensuring efficiency. The cold storage chain in Kashmir is expanding rapidly, with investments exceeding Rs 2500 crore. However, investors face issues with subsidy disbursement, expansion limits, and high credit costs. The cold chain has helped manage apple supply and demand effectively, encouraging retention of quality produce for later market sales. Future investments should consider infrastructure-deficient areas and smaller facilities within orchards.
SRINAGAR: JK Bank’s top officials interacted with the members of JK Fruits and Vegetables Processing and Integrated Cold chain Association (JKPICCA) and Industrial Association Lassipora, and the bank was appraised of various issues faced by stakeholders of the industry.