J&K govt to roll out Special Market Intervention Price Scheme to procure Apple crop on remunerative prices

In Jammu and Kashmir, the Governor’s administration is mulling to roll out the Special Market Intervention Price Scheme (MISP) of Government of India to procure nearly 12 Lakh Metric Tons of Apple from farmers of Kashmir on remunerative prices.

In this connection, J&K Chief Secretary B V R Subrahmanyam chaired a meet via video conference with Deputy Commissioners of Kashmir Division to discuss the rollout of the Scheme. It would be in the history of J&K that such a special scheme is being introduced wherein nearly 60% of the estimated annual Apple production, which last year stood at 20 Lakh MTs will be procured from the Apple growers nearer their doorsteps.

The scheme is expected to enhance the income of the growers in Kashmir Valley by about 2000 crore rupees. The period of procurement would be for six month beginning 1st of this month. The fund requirement for the scheme has been estimated as 8000 Crore rupees. While the nodal procurement agency from Government of India will be NAFED, the Nodal procurement agency from Government of Jammu and Kashmir will be the Directorate of Horticulture and others.