Apple Farming

Jammu and Kashmir is famous for its apples all over the world. Lakhs of people of Jammu and Kashmir earn their living through apple cultivation. This is going to prove to be a piece of very useful news for the farmers who cultivate apples. Apple is liked a lot not only in India but also in foreign countries. In India, apple is cultivated in the state of Kashmir. Apple cultivation is the biggest source of income for the native farmers of Kashmir. The apple of Kashmir is famous all over the world. In Jammu and Kashmir, about 25 lakh people are getting employment opportunities through apple farming. However, due to the heavy rains this year, the apple crop has suffered a lot. Given this, the government has taken a step for the benefit of farmers. Now the government will provide subsidies for apple cultivation.

According to reports, Jammu and Kashmir accounts for about 80 percent of the total apples produced in India. The state earns an income of about Rs 1500 crore from apple cultivation. Apple is cultivated on a large scale in the Kupwara, Ganderbal, Shopian, Anantnag, Srinagar, Budgam, and Baramulla districts of Kashmir.

Different varieties of apples will also be procured and produced.

Keeping in mind the conditions, the Jammu and Kashmir administrations and the Horticulture Department have emphasized high-density plantations in the state. Due to this, there is a possibility of an increase in the income of the farmers of the state. During this experiment of the state government, different varieties of apples will be imported from European countries and planted. Jammu and Kashmir Horticulture Department will give a subsidy of up to 50 percent to the farmers for the plantation of new varieties of apples. Apart from this, the Horticulture Department is also providing technical information related to farming to encourage the farmers of the state.

Also read: Apple cultivation will be done in Punjab from the apple variety developed by Krishi Vigyan Kendra Pathankot.

The economic condition of the farmer brothers will become stronger

Officials say that this step will strengthen the apple production as well as the economic condition of the farmer brothers. According to the Horticulture Department, a new variety of apples will be made available very soon.

Grant is being given for high high-density apple plantation

Due to high-density apple plantations in Kashmir, interest among farmers has increased. Also, at present, people are showing interest in this high-density plantation in place of traditional apple trees at many places in Kashmir, in which 50% grant is also being given by the Jammu and Kashmir Horticulture Department to the farmers to grow apples under this new technology. Is being given for. Along with this, the Horticulture Department is also providing all kinds of technical information to the farmers' fields to encourage them.

Also read: Apple crop affected due to this reason, thousands of farmers of the state suffered loss

The interest of young farmers is also increasing

Now educated youth in Kashmir have also started showing interest in farming. Also, high-density apple plantations are becoming a source of employment as well as an excellent source of income for them. For your information, let us tell you that Kashmiri apple is in demand all over the world including India. Due to its sweetness and juiciness, it is in demand all over the world. Now in such a situation, it can prove to be an excellent option of income for the Kashmiri people.

The Central Government took an important decision for the benefit of the farmers of Himachal Pradesh.

In the year 2021, the Central Government had purchased apples directly from farmers in Jammu and Kashmir under the Market Intervention Scheme. Due to this the farmers did not have to face much loss. Thus they got the right price for their crop. This is the reason why the farmers of Himachal have now demanded the Central Government to start purchasing apples. There is good news for the apple producing farmers of Himachal Pradesh. On the demand of Himachal Pradesh Government, the Central Government has constituted a committee to purchase apples through NAFED. This committee will review the demand of Himachal government. At the same time, after this a report will be submitted to the Central Government. It is being said that on the basis of the report, the Central Government can take a decision to procure apple from the farmers through NAFED like paddy and wheat. With this, farmers will be able to get a good price for apples.

Loss of apple crop in Himachal Pradesh

This year, apple crops have suffered a lot in Himachal Pradesh. Due to excessive rains, many apple orchards were hit by landslides. This has caused huge financial loss to the farmers. Also, due to untimely rains, apple fruits also rotted on the trees. Due to this also production has been greatly affected. Apart from this, many roads got destroyed due to rain in Himachal Pradesh. This is the reason why apples are not able to reach the markets from the orchards on time.

Also read: Restrictions on export of Apples below a certain cost 

A committee has been constituted by The central government

Local farmers of the state say that firstly the weather has ruined the crop. Now the right price of apples is not available in the market. Due to this they are incurring huge losses. Now in such a situation, the Central Government should also directly purchase apples from farmers on the lines of paddy and wheat. This is the reason that on the demand of farmers, Himachal government has demanded the Center to start purchasing apples through NAFED. After this the central government formed a committee.

What is the percentage share of Himachal Pradesh?

After Kashmir, maximum apple production is done in Himachal Pradesh. It ranks second in India in terms of apple production. Himachali apple is supplied not only in the country but also in the neighboring country Nepal. The main thing is that Himachal Pradesh accounts for 25 percent of the total apples produced in India.