Srinagar – The Jammu & Kashmir government announced on Saturday that it will take strict action against anyone who uses artificial coloring or poor‑quality pesticides on fruit crops, especially apples. The move comes after complaints from buyers in Delhi, Jammu and Kolkata that Kashmir’s apples are being dyed before they ripen, a practice that harms both the fruit’s quality and consumer safety.
Javid Ahmad Dar, the state’s Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development and related departments, said a new Enforcement Wing will soon be formed to monitor fertilizers and pesticides. “Many products on the market are of low quality,” he told reporters in Baramulla. “We’re tightening enforcement to spot and stop violators.”
The minister warned that apples that appear ready to sell in August rather than their normal September ripening time are likely dyed. “Colouring mars the fruit’s reputation, shortens shelf life and can even cause illness,” he said. Traders or growers caught shipping dyed apples will face penalties.
The same minister also highlighted an uptick in the leaf‑miner pest problem, which he blamed on illegal import of rootstocks that bypass quarantines. “We’ve identified those involved and will act decisively,” he added.
While the government will not shut down licenses arbitrarily, it stresses the need for all operators to meet safety standards. The state is also working on a plan to relieve congestion at the Sopore Fruit Mandi. The Housing, Revenue and Disaster Management, Planning and Power departments will collaborate on a comprehensive transport and market expansion proposal.
The ministry also confirmed that the Doabgah juice plant is fully operational under a private operator, a facility that has been running successfully for the past three years.
The apple crop in the Valley suffered a double blow this year after a prolonged dry spell followed by flooding that blocked the Srinagar‑Jammu highway. The result? Record‑low fruit prices that have hit growers and traders hard.
Source: ianslive
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