The apple farmers and traders in the Kashmir Valley are extremely happy after the Indian&nbsp; government decided to amend its import policy for apples. The central government recently changed the import policy of India for apples and also banned the import of apples below the minimum price.&nbsp;

The Government of India recently took a decision and introduced a Minimum Import Price (MIP) to protect the interest of the country's apple growers. The decision has been lauded by the apple growers across India, including those in Kashmir Valley and Himachal Pradesh.&nbsp;

The Jammu and Kashmir Fruit and Vegetable Processing and Integrated Cold Chain Association (JKPICCA), besides other farmers' associations in Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, had pushed for a cap on such imports to save the local apple farmers of the country.&nbsp;

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The Jammu and Kashmir Fruit and Vegetable Processing and Integrated Cold Chain Association (JKPICCA) had written to the Indian Ministry of Commerce's joint secretary highlighting the issue.&nbsp;

''I welcome the decision of the government that they have put a cap of Rs 50 on imports. It's a cap that the government has implemented. It will majorly hit the apple from Iran and Turkey. The other country's apples, like the United States, are already giving duty. This will benefit the Kashmiri apple growers. The apples from Iran and Turkey hit the market of Kashmir and Himachal. The local demand for our apples in the country will increase for sure,'' said Mohammad Shahid Chaudhary, General Secretary, JK Fruit Association.&nbsp;

The government issued an order on May 8 stating that "in exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 read with section 5 of the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992, read with para 1.02 and 2.01 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023, as amended from time to time, the Central Government hereby ITC (HS), 2022, amends the import policy position under ITC (HS) 08081000 of Chapter-08 of Schedule-I (Import Policy)".&nbsp;

According to the new Import Policy of India, the import of apples under ITC (HS) 08081000 is now 'prohibited' where the CIF import value is equal to or less than Rs 50&nbsp;per kg.&nbsp;

WATCH | India: Major revamp in Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar gets smart city treatment

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However, these Minimum Import Price (MIP) conditions will not apply to imports from Bhutan. The previous season the apple growers of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal had to bear huge losses as apples at much lower cost were imported from the neighbouring countries.&nbsp;

As the input cost of apples is increasing rapidly, low market prices are discouraging apple cultivation in both Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.

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The apple farmers and traders in the Kashmir Valley are extremely happy after the Indian government decided to amend its import policy for apples. The central government recently changed the import policy of India for apples and also banned the import of apples below the minimum price.

The apple farmers and traders in the Kashmir Valley are extremely happy after the Indian government decided to amend its import policy for apples. The central government recently changed the import policy of India for apples and also banned the import of apples below the minimum price. The Government of India recently took a decision and introduced a Minimum Import Price (MIP) to protect the interest of the country's apple growers. The decision has been lauded by the apple growers across India, including those in Kashmir Valley and Himachal Pradesh. The Jammu and Kashmir Fruit and Vegetable Processing and Integrated Cold Chain Association (JKPICCA), besides other farmers' associations in Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, had pushed for a cap on such imports to save the local apple farmers of the country. ALSO READ | India: Rare Alligator Gar Fish found in Dal Lake of Kashmir The Jammu and Kashmir Fruit and Vegetable Processing and Integrated Cold Chain Association (JKPICCA) had written to the Indian Ministry of Commerce's joint secretary highlighting the issue. ''I welcome the decision of the government that they have put a cap of Rs 50 on imports. It's a cap that the government has implemented. It will majorly hit the apple from Iran and Turkey. The other country's apples, like the United States, are already giving duty. This will benefit the Kashmiri apple growers. The apples from Iran and Turkey hit the market of Kashmir and Himachal. The local demand for our apples in the country will increase for sure,'' said Mohammad Shahid Chaudhary, General Secretary, JK Fruit Association. The government issued an order on May 8 stating that "in exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 read with section 5 of the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992, read with para 1.02 and 2.01 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023, as amended from time to time, the Central Government hereby ITC (HS), 2022, amends the import policy position under ITC (HS) 08081000 of Chapter-08 of Schedule-I (Import Policy)". According to the new Import Policy of India, the import of apples under ITC (HS) 08081000 is now 'prohibited' where the CIF import value is equal to or less than Rs 50 per kg. WATCH | India: Major revamp in Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar gets smart city treatment However, these Minimum Import Price (MIP) conditions will not apply to imports from Bhutan. The previous season the apple growers of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal had to bear huge losses as apples at much lower cost were imported from the neighbouring countries. As the input cost of apples is increasing rapidly, low market prices are discouraging apple cultivation in both Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Kashmiri apple farmers happy after Indian government amends apple import policy

To boost horticulture production in the Kashmir valley, the government is bringing in new scientific techniques and methods to help farmers produce world-class fruits.

Horticulture is one of the main industries in the Union Territory and contributes around 8 per cent to the state’s GDP. Amongst them, Kashmiri apple production takes the biggest chunk of the sector.

Hence, in order to further boost the production and expand the market for Kashmiri apples across the globe, the government has been convincing farmers to set up high-density apple orchards.

Under the high-density farming technique, farmers use their land more efficiently, increasing yields without increasing the space devoted to planting. More importantly, high-density farming shows that farmers can make a living from farming without much, contrary to the common belief that successful farming is land-intensive.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kashmirs-famous-saffron-farming-gets-a-boost-with-new-initiatives-by-the-government-of-india-406303">Kashmir’s famous saffron farming gets a boost with new initiatives by the Government of India</a>

“Our economy is based on horticulture and our Kashmiri apples are renowned all over the world. So to compete with the other countries in apple cultivation, the government has come up with the idea of setting up high-density orchards. It accommodates more plants and helps produce high-quality grade A apples,” said Javaid Ahmad Bhat, Chief Horticulture Officer, Budgam.

In Kashmir, Budgam district has been the centre of this transformation. Here, hundreds of acres of land, which was earlier used by brick kiln owners, have been now converted into apple orchards, bringing economic benefits to the them without taking a toll on the environment.

“In Budgam, several acres of land was earlier used for the production of bricks. We approached the owners and convinced them to grow apples. We helped them by providing a subsidy of up to 50 per cent. The harvest was much more valuable than what they were getting earlier. We have now successfully converted thousands of acres of lands that earlier spaced brick kiln to orchards. '' Bhat said. &nbsp;
<img alt="Apple cultivation in Budgam" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="774a5482-c52e-48c1-b95b-9cbfc5d3e51a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/apple%202.jpg" />
Ghulam Ahmad Pal, a farmer and former brick kiln owner in Budgam, said ever since he shifted to apple cultivation under the new method, his earnings have doubled

“The credit goes to the horticulture department. The officials helped us a lot. Earlier, we used to get only Rs 5,000&nbsp;rent on a kanal (0.12 acre) of land for brick production. We had no apple orchards in the area. Then the officials approached us and apprised us about this new apple cultivation technique. Now, we are getting more than Rs 50,000 for growing apples on a kanal of land. They gave us the plant, provided the necessary infrastructure and gave a 50 per cent subsidy. They also helped us with pruning and cutting. I am happy that after retirement, I have taken to farming,” he said.

Pal’s success story has also inspired several other brick kiln owners who are now taking up apple cultivation.

To boost horticulture production in the Kashmir valley, the government is bringing in new scientific techniques and methods to help farmers produce world-class fruits.

To boost horticulture production in the Kashmir valley, the government is bringing in new scientific techniques and methods to help farmers produce world-class fruits. Horticulture is one of the main industries in the Union Territory and contributes around 8 per cent to the state’s GDP. Amongst them, Kashmiri apple production takes the biggest chunk of the sector. Hence, in order to further boost the production and expand the market for Kashmiri apples across the globe, the government has been convincing farmers to set up high-density apple orchards. Under the high-density farming technique, farmers use their land more efficiently, increasing yields without increasing the space devoted to planting. More importantly, high-density farming shows that farmers can make a living from farming without much, contrary to the common belief that successful farming is land-intensive. Also read | Kashmir’s famous saffron farming gets a boost with new initiatives by the Government of India “Our economy is based on horticulture and our Kashmiri apples are renowned all over the world. So to compete with the other countries in apple cultivation, the government has come up with the idea of setting up high-density orchards. It accommodates more plants and helps produce high-quality grade A apples,” said Javaid Ahmad Bhat, Chief Horticulture Officer, Budgam. In Kashmir, Budgam district has been the centre of this transformation. Here, hundreds of acres of land, which was earlier used by brick kiln owners, have been now converted into apple orchards, bringing economic benefits to the them without taking a toll on the environment. “In Budgam, several acres of land was earlier used for the production of bricks. We approached the owners and convinced them to grow apples. We helped them by providing a subsidy of up to 50 per cent. The harvest was much more valuable than what they were getting earlier. We have now successfully converted thousands of acres of lands that earlier spaced brick kiln to orchards. '' Bhat said. Ghulam Ahmad Pal, a farmer and former brick kiln owner in Budgam, said ever since he shifted to apple cultivation under the new method, his earnings have doubled “The credit goes to the horticulture department. The officials helped us a lot. Earlier, we used to get only Rs 5,000 rent on a kanal (0.12 acre) of land for brick production. We had no apple orchards in the area. Then the officials approached us and apprised us about this new apple cultivation technique. Now, we are getting more than Rs 50,000 for growing apples on a kanal of land. They gave us the plant, provided the necessary infrastructure and gave a 50 per cent subsidy. They also helped us with pruning and cutting. I am happy that after retirement, I have taken to farming,” he said. Pal’s success story has also inspired several other brick kiln owners who are now taking up apple cultivation.

In Kashmir’s Budgam, brick kiln owners taking up apple cultivation thanks to govt’s new initiative

Apple orchards in the Kashmir valley are abuzz. The world-famous Kashmiri apples are being harvested from orchards of the valley. The crop this year hasn't been that great due to several climatic conditions but farmers are expecting the government's intervention to gain profit.

Kashmir: COVID-19 adds to the woes of apple growers

The demand for Kashmiri Apples on the rise in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

WION Exclusive: The taste of Kashmir in Saudi Arabia

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Kashmiri apple farmers happy after Indian government amends apple import policy

In Kashmir’s Budgam, brick kiln owners taking up apple cultivation thanks to govt’s new initiative

Kashmir: COVID-19 adds to the woes of apple growers

WION Exclusive: The taste of Kashmir in Saudi Arabia