In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, apple growers and dealers operating from Sopore Fruit Mandi, Asia’s second-largest fruit market, have said that the authorities have failed miserably to boost this industry, saying top quality apples are not getting due price.
They said, “As much as we spend in this business, we are getting very little profit which leaves us worried,” they said. Even grade A apples are not getting the proper price.”
Apple cultivation is one of the mainstays of livelihood to about 3.5 million people and contributes about Rs 8,000 crore to the region. Kashmir produces about two million tonnes of apples and almost two-thirds of it goes to outside markets.—KMS
