SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh on Wednesday flagged off the first five-metric-tonne consignment of the Union Territory’s organic apricots to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), marking the beginning of an expanded export initiative aimed at connecting local growers with international markets.
In a post on X, the Lieutenant Governor said the export was facilitated through a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Lulu Group, enabling Ladakh’s apricot farmers to gain direct access to overseas markets.
He said the administration aims to export more than 1,000 metric tonnes of organic apricots during the current season, a significant increase from the combined export of 1,500 kilograms over the previous two years.
According to the Lieutenant Governor, the initiative is expected to enhance farmers’ incomes, reduce post-harvest losses and improve livelihoods while strengthening Ladakh’s horticulture sector.
He said the export drive aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Vocal for Local” and “Local to Global”, expressing confidence that it would connect Ladakh’s produce with global consumers.
The Lieutenant Governor further said the initiative would help strengthen the local economy, generate sustainable livelihood opportunities and establish Ladakh as a premier export hub for organic apricots.
