Banjar apple, veggie growers demand marketing yard

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, July 24

The residents of Banjar sub-division in Kullu district have demanded the construction of a marketing yard for marketing of horticulture and agriculture produce.

A major part of the Banjar valley is covered under apple cultivation, which needs better marketing facilities. Apart from this, the farmers produce seasonal vegetable crops for marketing purposes to earn their livelihood.

The construction of a marketing yard at Banjar is under consideration. The land possession process is being taken up and once it is completed, the authority will prepare cost estimation for the project. — Susheel Gularia, Secy, Kullu APMC

Due to a lack of proper marketing facilities, the farmers are facing difficulties in earning good prices for their produce. The temporary market yard at Damothi in Banjar has been functional since 2006.

Earlier, the Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) Kullu had booked a rented accommodation for marketing of agriculture and horticulture produce. But with the passage of time, the arrival of produce was increased drastically, which has forced the APMC to start a temporary marketing yard at an open area to accommodate the farmers.

The residents of the area told The Tribune that it was their long-pending demand, which should be fulfilled by the state government on a priority. Poor marketing facilities for the produce directly affected the farmers, they lamented.

Sher Singh, pradhan of Kothi Chehni Panchayat said that Banjar valley is an apple belt, where a majority of farmers are associated with apple cultivation. Besides, they also cultivate seasonal vegetable crops to earn their livelihood.

“Banjar marketing yard covers the entire Banjar region, besides a few parts of Ani sub division in Kullu district and enables farmers to avail marketing facility of their agriculture and horticulture produce. The market yard is covered with tarpaulin sheets. During rainy season the market area gets muddy, which damages the crop. Similarly, in clear sky, direct sunlight damages the fruit and vegetable crops. As a result, buyers purchase the produce of farmers on lower rates,” he remarked.

Narender Kumar, Mahesh Singh and others said that the matter was raised before Banjar MLA Surender Shourie, who assured them of looking into their issues.

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