Excelsior Correspondent
PUNE, Feb 28: A delegation of youth from apple grower families of Kashmir today met Sopan Kanchan, founder Mahagrapes—the apex co-operative body of grape growers exporting grapes and Sachin Korde.
The delegation sought details regarding marketing, technological and quality aspects related to grape and pomegranate farming so that the same could value-add in cultivation, harvesting and commercial aspects of apple, cherry and apricot farming.
The delegation was led by Malik, who is associated with Pune-based NGO Sarhad and comprised of Ilyas Khan from Kargil, Zahid Bhat, Aadil Malik and Mukhtar Dar from Kashmir.
“Cold storage and testing labs will be set up in two districts in Maharashtra and Kashmir. These youths will co-ordinate with local farmers, mandis and traders. This initiative was conceptualized during direct marketing of farm produce from Kashmir in Pune as well as farmers leader Raju Shetti’s visit to the valley last year,” said Malik.
“If Nashik can become a grape-export hub, Kashmir can also become an export hub of apples and dry fruits such as apricot, walnut, almond, etc. I asked them to bring Kashmiri farmers to Nashik and see how packaging, grading is done. They will have to improve these processes drastically to compete in the world market,” Kanchan said adding that Kashmiri farmers are totally dependent on the Azadpur Mandi, near Delhi.
He also said that Kashmiri farmers’ confidence needs to be boosted and assured them all support needed in marketing, packaging and grading as well as storage.
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