SHOPIAN’S APPLE BASKET

Apples are packaged either in cardboard or wooden boxes. A card board box costs Rs 35-40 less than wooden box. Most buyers prefer cardboard due to their relatively less weight. But these boxes are not durable since they can’t be kept in cold storage. Pertinently, every year, unsold apples are sent to Lassipora cold storage at the end of the apple selling season which ensures the availability of apples in off-seasons as well.

Currently, there are around 500-600 stalls present in the Mandi owned by traders of Shopian district. Seven years ago, when the Mandi was thrown open, 193 stalls were officially allowed. “As the popularity of the market increased, the horticulture department allowed as many stalls as possible for the convenience of fruit traders and growers,” said horticultural official M Y Khan.

Till last year, stall owners were freely allowed to proceed with their trade without paying any tax to horticulture department. But the department will now charge Rs 4000 from every stall owner as license fee from this year,. “This fee will ensure smooth conduct of trade within our vigilance,” Khan added.

Although the market is bustling with activity, the government hasn’t done much to improve the infrastructure. There is no parking facility available, which usually forces the transporters to park their trucks inside the market. Dusty and pot-filled roads spoil the produce, “During his last visit, chief minister had promised that the market will be made a ‘model mandi’. But so far, nothing concrete has been done to upgrade the infrastructure,” said Mir Mohammad Amin.
There is no accommodation facility to ensure the stay of non-local traders, who end up spending their night in their vehicles. Locals have built small dhabas outside the market to serve food to non-locals. Considering the mounting rush and poor infrastructure of the market, the state government has decided to shift the Mandi to Ranbaire area of Shopian which is situated few kilometers away from the existing market. “500 kanal land has been identified at the new site where good infrastructure will be raised. It will have helipad facility which will ensure proper accessibility of non-locals to the market,” Farooz Malik, a marketing inspector with the horticulture department said.

Shopian fruit market has emerged as a change agent and emancipator for the farmers and fruit growers of south Kashmir. Earlier, the farmers were dependent on the market in Delhi and were usually left disappointed. “With the establishment of a market close to home, we are the masters of our own crop which wasn’t the case earlier,” an apple grower Fayaz Bhat said. The market has also provided relief to traders and growers from various taxes. “The traders in Delhi used to charge us eight per cent commission of the sale besides other taxes. The market has set us free,” said another apple grower, Gowher Hussain.