The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the extension of Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for apple procurement in Jammu and Kashmir (J-K) for the 2020-21 season on the same terms and condition as the last time.
As per the plan, the procurement of apple will be done by Central Procuring Agency, National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation ltd. (NAFED), through State Designated Agency — Directorate of Planning and Marketing, Department of Horticulture and J-K, Horticulture Processing and Marketing Corporation (JKHPMC) — directly from apple farmers of J-K. The payment will be made through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into Bank account of apple farmers.
The government has also allowed NAFED to utilize Government Guarantee of Rs. 2,500 Crore for this operation, read an official statement that also claimed that the losses, if any, will be shared between Central Government and UT administration of J-K on 50:50 basis.
The constituted Designated Price Committee of last Season will be continued for the fixation of price of various variety 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.
The government ensured that the scheme will ensure remunerative prices for apples resulting in overall income enhancement of farmers in J-K.
