In a national first, Ladakh apricots were exported to Dubai for the first time. The send-off ceremony of the first ever international export of Ladakhi apricots to Dubai was presided over by Feroz Ahmad Khan, CEC LAHDC Kargil and Santosh Sukhadeve, Deputy Commissioner Kargil.
Apricots are the primary cash crop for the farmers of Kargil and have never been exported out of Ladakh, except for this year. The Krishak Agritech organization that is working with farmers across the Himalayan states undertook this task to find markets for fresh Ladakhi apricots and ways to export them. Apricot has recently been identified as the primary crop for Kargil under ODOC program of the government of India.
CEC LAHDC Kargil stated that the export of Ladakhi fresh apricots outside Ladakh was banned since 1986 under the pretext of coddling moth infestation. Since then, the issue was voiced at every possible platform but instead of finding the solution to the highlighted problem, the then Jammu & Kashmir Government continued the ban.
Source: dailyexcelsior.com
Photo source: Dreamstime.com