Apple is now the fruit of Indo-Pak thaw

Kashmiri apples are likely to become available in Pakistan and Pak-occupied Kashmir.

A 41-member fruit growers' delegation is expected to board the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus and explore the markets in PoK and Pakistan.

The Jammu and Kashmir Fruit and Vegetable Growers and Dealers' Association is holding a meeting of fruit growers on July 26 to discuss the modalities of the visit. The fruit growers intend to send the delegation, which has representatives from both Kashmir and Jammu.

"We were waiting for the Hurriyat leaders to return from Pakistan. Our team will survey the markets there. And if all goes well we will be exporting in the coming fruit season," said Ghulam Rasool Bhat, president of the association.

The horticulture sector is the mainstay of Kashmir's economy and it earns about Rs 1,000 crore (Rs 10 billion) by exporting fresh fruits while around Rs 300 crore (Rs 3 billion) is being earned by exporting dry fruits. Official figures say the sector provides livelihood to around 25 lakh (2.5 million) people both directly and indirectly.

Fruit-growers say they are expecting to earn Rs 500 crore (Rs 5 billion) more by sending their produce to different markets to Pakistan and its administered Kashmir.

"Prior to partition, our produce used to be sold in areas now under Pakistan. The fruit mandis in Lahore and other provinces were well-known. And it was despite the fact that our annual production was only 16,000 tonnes. This time we have produced 15 lakh (1.5 million) tones," said Bhat.

Fruit-growers say they will try to seek permission from Pakistani authorities to use its ports and highways as launching pads for the export of apples and other fruits to the Gulf and Central Asian countries.

"If we are given access, we can send the fruit up to Iran, Afghanistan and other central Asian countries. The Pakistan corridor will give our sector a great impetus," said Bhat.

On the other side, the Jammu and Kashmir government is also keen to utilise the markets in neighbouring country. Minister of State for Agriculture and Cooperatives Ajaz Ahmad Khan said the government was keen to ply trucks on the Srinagar-Muzaffarbad road.

"And fruit growers can also send their fruits in trucks to different markets in the neighbouring country. This will definitely help the sector," he said.

Khan said as far as the delegation of fruit growers was concerned, he would take up the issue with the chief minister, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, and try to facilitate their tour to Pakistan for exploring the markets in that country.