News Topic:Apple Harvest

A remarkable trend is unfolding in Kashmir with farmers and horticulturists embracing exotic apple plant varieties over traditional ones.

With Ramadan in progress, demand for Kashmiri apples has soared across India. Since the beginning of Ramadan, growers have started shipping apples.

Nearly 500 apple boxes were stolen from an orchard last night in the Batapora Niladang village of Shopian district, according to the owner of the property.

Central government has amended its import policy for apples by introducing Minimum Important Price (MIP) and banning the import of apples costing below Rs 50 per kg.

Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, P K Pole said the bumper apple crop this year affected the smooth passage to the fruit-laden trucks along Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.

Chief Secretary, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta impressed upon the concerned traffic authorities to clear the stranded traffic within 24 hours and certify the same at the earliest.

The halting of fruit-laden trucks on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway persists with about 6000 trucks waiting, some since October 2, to reach Jammu.

After facing losses due to the halting of trucks, apple growers in Kashmir are now suffering due to freight rise, transport shortage and low demand for the fruit.