The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi allowed NAFED to utilize Government Guarantee of Rs. 2,500 Crore for apple procurement in Jammu and Kashmir for the current season also i.e. 2020-21 on the same terms and conditions as was done in J&K during last season i.e. 2019-20.
The procurement of apple will be done by NAFED through State Designated Agency i.e. Directorate of Planning and Marketing, Department of Horticulture & Jammu & Kashmir Horticulture Processing and Marketing Corporation (JKHPMC), directly from apple farmers of J&K and the payment will be made through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into the Bank account of apple farmers.
The losses, if any, to be incurred in this operation will be shared between the Central Government and UT administration of J&K on 50:50 basis, reads the Cabinet note. 12 LMT of apples can be procured under this scheme.
The constituted Designated Price Committee of last Season will be continued for the fixation of price of various varieties and grades of apples for this Season also. The UT administration of J&K shall ensure the provision of basic amenities in the designated mandis.
Nafed, which till recently faced the prospect of closure is scaling new heights, quipped a co-operator keeping watch on the agri co-op growth trajectory.