Masoodi demands Market Intervention Scheme for cherry growers, emphasizes enhancing cold storage and processing capacity

Srinagar/June,3: National Conference MP from Anantnag, Hasnain Masoodi has expressed grave concern over the insensitivity of J&K administration towards the difficulties faced by the fruit growers in export of huge quantity of cherry, ready for marketing.
In a statement issued here on Wednesday Masoodi said that the continuous lockdown and frequent disruptions of road traffic on Srinagar – Jammu National Highway as also interruption in domestic air traffic have left the fruit growers high and dry with bleak chances of exporting high value seasonal fruit with short shelf life, on their own. The lockdown and restrictions on movement of packing material, according to Masoodi has been an added worry for the farmers. He has demanded use of Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) by the horticulture department and purchase of cherry ready for export, at minimum support price acceptable to the fruit growers, at the points convenient to them. Masoodi has stated that in absence of Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) the fruit growers who have already suffered heavy loss due to untimely snowfall last November, would be exposed to huge loss having a crippling effect on the fruit industry. He has also demanded enhanced cold storage and food processing capacity in Kashmir so that in case of such eventualities the fruit produced is processed and canned in Kashmir itself and not left to rotten, a situation presently faced by the fruit growers.