Srinagar: The harvesting of cherry crop in the Kashmir valley is in full swing and the farmers are satisfied with the production despite early hot weather conditions.
The harvesting of the crop began simultaneously in Srinagar and Bramulla in north Kashmir a month earlier as the fruit became ready for plucking due to the weather that prevailed in the Valley, Mohammad Altaf, a member of the Farmer Producer Organisation in Srinagar, said.
He said the production was satisfactory despite odd weather and hailstorm but added that the farmers were not earning much money due to lesser rates given in the Mandis.
Altaf said the Shimla and Kashmiri cherry hit the markets together, which reduced the price of the latter in spite of its good quality and taste.
“We appeal to the government that at least the cost of Kashmir cherry should be at par with that of the Shimla Cherry,” he added.
He said the irony was that the Shimla cherry was being sold in Mandis of Delhi directly by farmers for Rs 300 a kg of box while Kashmir cherry costs only Rs 200 despite its demand, good quality and taste.
He said that last year a box of Kashmiri “Makhmali Cherry” sold at the orchard for Rs 200 a kg despite the Covid pandemic.
“We are in the process of giving farmers a direct linkage to sell the fruit in the Mandis of Srinagar as well as in Delhi so that they can get a good price,” Altaf said. “It will help them to save the percentage margin of the middleman also who is actually purchasing the fruit from the orchard.”
He said this year the “Makhmali” cherry could not be sent outside the state due to non-availability of air-conditioned vans.
He said a box of “Makhmali” Cherry was sold for Rs 100 a kg which included the cost of a Cardboard box for Rs 14 and labour charges on an average of Rs 40 and 6 percent middleman charges.
Altaf said the second brand of the fruit “Double Cherry” which was earlier transported outside in cardboard boxes of 2 kg will be sent now in plastic crates of 22 kg.
“We have contacted canning plants agencies in Jammu and Kashmir to whom we are going to sell the ‘Double Cherry’ directly.”
He said this will save a farmer at least Rs 20 expenditure on cardboard box and cherry would be provided to the canning plants without tails which will also enable the plant holders to save time and labour charges.
Altaf said the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED) is supporting and providing adequate funds to the farmers to increase production.
He said that in future farmers will try to sell the cherry directly to outside Mandis including in Delhi.