J-K exports first consignment of Mishri Cherry to Dubai

In a significant move towards revolutionising fruit export in the international market, the government of Jammu and Kashmir today exported Mishri Cherry from Srinagar to Dubai for the first time in the history of the Union Territory.

In a statement issued by the Department of Information and Public Relations, Jammu and Kashmir, the first consignment of cherries was today flagged off through virtual mode by Principal Secretary, Agriculture, and Farmers Welfare Department, Navin Kumar Choudhary, and Chairman, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).

"Export of such highly perishable fruit from the UT to the international market is like a dream come true and this has become possible due to APEDA which facilitated shipment of this mishri variety of cherry by MS Desai Agri-Food Private Limited, a venture company of MS Innoterra Dubai", said a department spokesperson.

Pertinently, the company exporting cherry from Kashmir is being assisted by APEDA. This commercial shipment of cherry to Dubai has been executed with assistance from APEDA to its registered exporters with proper branding involving suppliers from Srinagar.

The cherries were harvested, cleaned, and packed by local exporters with technical assistance from SKAUST, APEDA, and NRL.

Mishri variety of cherry is considered as one of the best varieties having extremely good health benefits as these are not only delicious but also packed with vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds having powerful health effects.

The Principal Secretary while elaborating on measures being initiated to boost Agriculture and Horticulture sectors, said that the horticulture department has recently signed an MoU with Go Airlines regarding shipment of agriculture and horticulture perishable fruits through air cargo at competitive rates. He urged APEDA to take optimum benefit of this arrangement as it involves not only the air cargo facility to the domestic market but also to the Gulf countries.

Principal Secretary appreciated APEDA for its tremendous support towards materializing this historic system in the UT. He urged APEDA to further extend its support to Jammu and Kashmir, a region blessed with abundant agriculture and horticulture stuff with a lot of untapped potential for export, in further expanding its network of fruit marketing to the International market.

He assured all support to APEDA from the Jammu and Kashmir government in the export of local organic fruits and vegetables. 'APEDA can explore the possibility of export of organic honey and saffron to various international destinations by way of supporting branding and capacity building.

APEDA chairman M Angamuthu expressed gratitude to Jammu and Kashmir government for timely support and cooperation in ensuring smooth execution of cherry export with optimism that the authority would continue its endeavours in this regard with the same spirit.

Additional Secretary, Horticulture, Jahangir Hashmi (Nodal Officer), Director, APEDA, Tarun Bajaj, Secretary, APEDA, Sudhanshu, Deputy General Manager, APEDA, Devendra Prasad, representatives of MS Desai group and their local counterparts besides senior officers of APEDA attended the flag-off ceremony.

( With inputs from ANI )