Unable to export produce, fruit growers ask locals to consume cherry
10-lakh families dependent on sector; 15,000 metric tonnes likely to be harvested
Tribune News Service
Srinagar, June 1
Unable to export the produce due to the coronavirus pandemic, fruit growers have asked locals to consume the home-grown cherry.
While the growers are likely to harvest nearly 15,000 metric tonnes cherry this year, restrictions on business activities due to the pandemic have affected exports.
As a result, the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers-cum-Dealers Union and the New Kashmir Fruit Association have now appealed the general public to consume the grown fruits locally as 10-lakh families are dependent on the sector.
“Since the devastating flood in 2014, the fruit growers of the Valley have constantly been suffering crores of rupees losses due to one reason or the other. About 13,000-15,000 metric tonnes of cherry are produced annually in the Valley and 60 per cent of the total produce from “makhmali” and “mishri” varieties used to be transported to Mumbai mandi,” the statement said.
“Since Mumbai is severely hit by Covid-19, the Valley-based cherry growers are not in a position to send their “makhmali” and “mishri” varieties to Mumbai. Similarly, factories of the Valley and outside J&K who were lifting “double cherry” every year for canning are reluctant to lift the produce. Therefore, the general public is requested to consume the cherry and other local fruits so that 10-lakh families do not face any hardships,” it added.
