The Hindu Business Line : Uttaranchal apples come to Chennai

UTTARANCHAL based UA Agrocoop, which started exporting apples last year, has introduced them in the Chennai market as a prelude to expanding to other markets.

At the launch, Mr V.R. Murthy, Director, UA Agrocoop, said the company is part of a joint effort by the State Government, the farmers' federation and Agrocoop to link the farms, located in the remote regions of Uttaranchal, to the markets.

This joint effort is aimed at providing farmers better prices for their produce, and making available to the consumption centres organically grown fresh fruits cultivated without use of chemical pesticides or fertilisers.

Cultivation in the regions that Agrocoop is sourcing apples from is largely traditional, he said.

The State Government has launched a programme to upgrade infrastructure such as ropeways to bring down fruits from the higher altitudes and storage, and subsidising packaging facilities.

The Government has leased to the company cold storage facilities, and has entered into an agreement letting Agrocoop run a 1,000-tonne collection, grading and packing centre at Naugaon, Uttarkashi.

It was also accessing funds under various programmes by the Union Government and the National Horticulture Board, he said.

The company hopes to bring in over 500-600 tonnes of apples in the coming months. These will be available at Rs 40 a kg, for this season.

Agrocoop is setting up a shop at the Koyambedu wholesale market and is also in talks with chain stores.

More Stories on : Horticulture/Fruits & Vegetables | Tamil Nadu | Other States

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