Contributing to the govt efforts of reviving the economy of J&K, agri cooperative NAFED has undertaken massive developmental activities in the UT which include preparation of investment plan, high density plantation of temperate crops for increasing productivity, creation of post-harvest infrastructure hubs and formation of crop specific FPOs in each district.
The historic initiatives are likely to benefit around 10 to 15 lakh families and pave the way for bringing prosperity and development in the lives of people of J&K, claimed Nafed MD Sanjeev Chadha in an exclusive interview given to Indian Cooperative.
To achieve this goal NAFED has executed an MoU with the Union Territory of J&K earlier. High density apple plantation will be undertaken in an area of 5500 hectares in two phases. NAFED in participation with the private sector, initially plans to create three clusters, one each in North and South Kashmir and one in the Samba/Kathua region of Jammu Division.
It has been planned to create infrastructure for end-to-end supply chain which will include pre-conditioning, controlled atmosphere CA storage, onion storage, processing facilities, ripening chambers, refrigerated transport, dry warehousing and grading facilities.
“The investment required for High Density Plantation would be around Rs 1700 crore over a period of six years and will be implemented in participation with farmers, lending banks and assistance programs of Government of India. The investment required for creation of infrastructure would be around R.500 crore and would be implemented in association with the private sector and lending banks”, reads a release from the Nafed.
The infrastructure created under this MOU is expected to increase the productivity of apples in the valley by 4 times and reduce the post-harvest losses by 50%, which will not only improve the income of the farmers but will also provide quality produce to the end consumers.
“Presently India is ranked eighth in the global apple production. The existing apple productivity level of 11 per hectare in J&K is far below the level of 40 per hectare in countries like Chili, France, Italy, etc. Through these initiatives, India is set to emerge as the leading producer of apples in the world. The production and infrastructural development will also improve the export prospects of apple from the valley, besides creating direct and indirect employment opportunities for the youth”, claimed Nafed MD Sanjeev Chadha in an exclusive interview.
The proposed value chain will also comprise import of quality planting material and Root Stock for Development of high-tech Nurseries for raising root stock/ grafts for undertaking high density plantations: Setting up virus indexing labs as per latest protocols for testing of Quality Planting Material (QPM); Branding and marketing of fruit crops like Apple, Walnut, Cherry, Olive, Litchi etc. GI tagging of premium/ niche products and creation of market linkages for exotic and non-seasonal vegetables and flowers in different metro cities across the country.
Being one of the National Implementing Agencies for creation of FPOs, Nafed will also form FPOS in all districts of the UT.Necessary action has already been initiated for implementation of the identified projects as per the MOU.
The empanelment process of 5 (five) private agencies has been completed who will organize supply of imported, quarantined planting material of dwarfing root stock for High Density Plantation (HDP) of apples.
These agencies will also supply drip irrigation and anti-hail nets to farmers opting for HDP plantation. An online platform has been created for seeking applications from farmers. The process of setting up four Hi Tech nurseries has also been initiated in collaboration with the private sector.
The UT Administration has allocated land at 3 locations, namely Samba (Jammu region). Kupwara (North Kashmir) and Haripari gram (South Kashmir) to NAFED for setting up of Post harvest & Processing Hubs. These hubs will also be created by NAFED in association with the Private sector. Action on various other initiatives is under progress on various fronts..
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