Categories: Kashmir

Kashmiri walnuts hit Bengaluru market under new govt scheme at fraction of cost of US imports

<p>
The first consignment of Kashmiri walnuts was recently flagged off from Budgam in the valley by truck to Bengaluru in Karnataka under the Centre’s One District, One Product (ODOP) Initiative, according to information provided by the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry.</p>
<p>
The first truck carrying 2,000 kg of walnuts was flagged off by the officials of the Centre and the Kashmir government and the price of the walnuts is just a fraction of the cost of the imported walnuts that the Bengaluru company was selling to local consumers.</p>
<p>
Kashmir accounts for 90% of India’s walnut production. With their superior quality and taste, the Kashmiri walnuts are a great source of nutrients and hence widely in demand across the globe. There is immense potential for this product to make its place in the local and global markets.</p>
<p>
Recognizing that walnuts were being imported into India on a large scale despite the availability of Kashmir walnuts, the 'ODOP' team began an in-depth market analysis and stakeholder consultations in Kashmir.</p>
<p>
Further, importers of walnuts in India were contacted and through dedicated handholding at both ends, the ODOP team was able to facilitate the procurement. Such efforts also give a boost to the AatmaNirbhar Bharat campaign as, for instance, in this case the Bangalore-based importer, who was previously sourcing walnuts from the US, is now able to distribute quality walnuts at a fraction of the import cost, the official statement said.</p>
<p>
On the sidelines of the flag off event, a roundtable conference was organised in Budgam wherein inputs were sought from industry representatives. The government’s consultations with horticulturists and trade representatives concluded that the way forward includes domestic and international marketing through Buyer-Seller Meets, e-commerce onboarding of more agricultural and handicraft/handloom products as well as creating product/scheme awareness for products from each district which will be supported by the ODOP initiative under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.</p>

IN Bureau

Recent Posts

Baloch Yakjehti Committee releases documentary to honour Karima Baloch’s legacy

On the 4th death anniversary of human rights activist Karima Baloch, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee…

2 hours ago

EAM Jaishankar to visit US from December 24-29

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will visit the US from December 24-29 to discuss key…

3 hours ago

Balochistan: Medical students protest campus closure, security crackdown

Students at the Bolan Medical College (BMC) in Balochistan's Quetta entered the 27th day of…

4 hours ago

Climate change, health risks escalate amid surge in PoGB deforestation

The intensifying cutting of trees for firewood in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB) is not only worsening…

5 hours ago

India’s retired judges, bureaucrats call for “immediate end” to attacks on minorities in open letter to Bangladesh

A group of retired judges, bureaucrats, Army officials and other civil society members have penned…

6 hours ago

Israel, Slovakia sign historic USD 582 million deal to boost Air Defense capabilities

Israel and Slovakia signed a 2 billion shekel (USD 582 million) agreement on Monday to…

6 hours ago