Ladakh Apricots Exported To Dubai For The First Time – Free PDF Download

• FRESH APRICOTS from Kargil district in the UT of Ladakh have for the first time in 35 years found their way to the international market.
• Sources said a consignment of 150 kg of fresh apricots was sent to Dubai from Kargil by Gurgaon-based start-up Krishak Agritech.

• The export of fresh apricots from Kargil district to international as well as domestic markets was banned by the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir government in 1986 under the “flimsy pretext” of stopping the spread of codling moth.
• As the ban is still in force, the startup took special permission from the Government of India to export it outside the district.
• The consignment was flagged off by Feroz Ahmed Khan, Chief Executive Councilor of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, at a function organised to mark the occasion.
• With little being done by successive J&K governments to tackle the problem of codling moth, farmers in Kargil were discouraged from growing apricot plants. However, the district still produces more than 20,000 tons of apricots grown on old trees.
• Ironically, while India was importing apricots for its domestic market from Afghanistan, more than 70 per cent of the fruit in Ladakh was allowed to perish.
• Only 30 per cent of the fresh produce used to be dried by the local people for sale outside Kargil as a dry fruit.

Changes Occurred

• Things started changing after Ladakh became a union territory. Apricot came to be identified as the primary crop for Kargil under its One District One Crop Programme.

Commercial Dealing

• Commercially dealing with fresh apricots started since July 25.
• 20 MTs of fresh apricots, valued at nearly Rs 30 lakh have supplied to traders in Mumbai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Delhi and the National Capital Region.
• The produce was procured from more than 200 farmers in Kargil district.

Future Goal

• From next year, th endeavor will be zero waste.
• Of the more than 40 varieties of apricot in Kargil, the local people dry only one or two varieties for sale as dry fruit, leaving others to perish.
• Making fresh juice of the varieties which are not much in demand and sell it as a value-added product.
• Exporting apricots is a strategic priority for Kargil/Ladakh to contribute to the economy of the union territory.

About Apricot

• Apricots are members of the rose family. The fruit is also related to peaches, plums, cherries, and almonds.
• The fruit was domesticated more than 4,000 years ago.
• The origin of the apricot is uncertain. Many believe it originated in Armenia while others believe it originated in China.
• Today, the fruit is cultivated on six continents. Antarctica is the exception.
• California produces 95% of the apricots grown in the United States.
• During the 1600s, apricot oil was used to treat medical conditions such as tumors, ulcers, and swelling.

One District One Product Scheme

• One District One Product Scheme is an initiative that is seen as a transformational step forward towards realizing the true potential of a district, fuel economic growth, and generate employment and rural entrepreneurship, taking us to the goal of AtmaNirbhar Bharat.
• This scheme is basically a Japanese business development concept, which gained prominence in 1979.
• It is aimed at promoting a competitive and staple product from a specific area to push sales and improve the standard of living of the local population.
• Over time, it has been replicated in other Asian countries as well.

Components of the Scheme

• Identify one product per district based on the potential and strength of a district and national priorities
• Develop a cluster for that product in the district which is capable of producing a world-class product with quality, scalability, and a brand
• Provide market linkages
• Address bottlenecks for exporting these products
• Support local exporters/manufacturers to scale up manufacturing
• Find potential buyers outside India with the aim of promoting exports
• Promoting manufacturing & services industry in the District
• Generate employment in the District

Question:

With reference to the One District One Product, consider the following statements:

1. It aims to boost the economy of the region district by district through encouraging indigenous and specialized products of each district.
2. This programme is providing loans to local production units and farmers.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. Only 1
2. Only 2
3. Both 1 and 2
4. None of the above

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