Unrest fails to hit fruit growers in J&K

Notwithstanding the unrest in the Valley, fruit growers in Jammu and Kashmir have earned Rs87 crore from July to August 20 through export of apples, pears and plums to different parts of the country.

The state horticulture planning and marketing department successfully coordinated dispatch of trucks carrying thousands of tonnes of fruits from different parts of the Valley to Delhi and other fruit markets, officials said.

"Rs87 crore has been earned by different orchard owners and fruit growers during July and first 20 days of August due to efforts made by the department," a government spokesman said today.

He said as many as 2,787 trucks carrying apples, pears, and plums weighing 23,825 metric tonnes have been marketed successfully.

During the first 20 days of August, the spokesman said, fruit growers have dispatched 2,900 trucks of apples and pears weighing 23,535 metric tonnes.

Fruit growers from Sopore, Rafiabad, Pattan, Kreeri, Ganderbal, Handwara, Sumbal, Rajpora, Lar, Pulwama, lower parts of Shopian, Zewan and Budgam, were benefited through timely sale of their apples and pears, the spokesman added.