Kashmir’s vegetables go international

There is a plan to set up 63 Farmer-Producer Associations (FPO) across the Kashmir Valley. The move is meant to encourage vegetable exports from the region

PRAVASISAMWAD.COM

To encourage vegetable exports and transform Kashmir into a vegetable basket, the Government has chalked out plans to set up 63 Farmer-Producer Associations (FPO) across the Kashmir Valley. The move is meant to encourage vegetable exports from the region.

Consignments of greens grown from the Valley have been sent to Sharjah (UAE), according to the Agriculture Department. “The goal is to expose Valley-based farmers to the international market and develop new avenues for the Valley’s rising greens,” the Director of Agriculture, Chowdhary Mohammad Younis, was quoted saying. He pointed out that the Valley’s vegetables were more valuable than the others.

He mentioned that the department had identified roughly 63 Farmer Produce Organizations (FPOs) throughout the Valley and was waiting for approval from concerned agencies. In December, the Deputy Commissioner of Srinagar approved one such FPO, which is being supported by the central government through NABARD.

Officials said that each FPO could be qualified for equity grant help of up to Rs 15 lakh per FPO, as well as collateral-free credit score ensured help of up to Rs 2 crore from banks and various financial establishments

“The Lulu Group exported veggies from Kashmir to Sharjah (UAE) for the first time. Three shipments have been sent, with a fourth on its way. Over 90 per cent of shipped vegetables come from the Srinagar district,” Younis said.

The FPOs will assist the targeted farmers by boosting market linkages for crops such as squash, capsicum, brinjal, and other vegetables that are grown in large quantities in the Valley. The FPO will be established with an initial membership of 192 farmers and membership would extend with time.

Officials said that each FPO could be qualified for equity grant help of up to Rs 15 lakh per FPO, as well as collateral-free credit score ensured help of up to Rs 2 crore from banks and various financial establishments.

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