Srinagar Fruit Mandi - NKFA

01/05/2026

Delegations, Trade Concerns, and Rail Initiatives
Ministry of Railways, Government of India Northern Railway Ashwini Vaishnaw Srinagar Fruit Mandi - NKFA BA Basheer

30/04/2026

Rail Boost for Kashmir Fruits & Vegetables: AC Cargo Trains, Expanded Loading Points, Terminal Upgrades, and 7-Day Cherry Parcel Service Discussed

Srinagar:28April2026
A joint inspection and interaction was held between representatives of the horticulture trade and senior officials of Northern Railway in a specially arranged single-bogie inspection coach. The delegation travelled from Srinagar to Budgam and onward along the Srinagar–Baramulla section, covering Pattan, Sopore, and Baramulla stations.

The meeting was attended by Sh. Parveen Pandey, IRTS, Principal Chief Commercial Manager, Northern Railway; Sh. Jaswant Singh, ACM Jammu–Srinagar; and Syed Tariq, Incharge Srinagar, along with other senior railway officials. The growers/traders delegation was led by Mr. Bashir Ahmed Basheer, President New Kashmir Fruit Association (NKFA) and Chairman, Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers-cum-Dealers Union, along with Vice President NKFA Mr. Anil Kumar, Chairman Transport NKFA Mr. Ali Mohd Reshi, and Executive Members.
The central objective was to develop efficient, temperature-controlled (AC) cargo rail solutions for seamless movement of apples, cherries, plums, pears, walnuts, and other produce from Kashmir to markets across India, while also strengthening inbound supply of essential fruits and vegetables such as onions, potatoes, mangoes, melons, and watermelon into the Valley.

During the visit, strong emphasis was placed on dedicated loading infrastructure. Sopore and Baramulla stations were identified for development of yard-based bulk loading facilities. In addition, Anantnag, Awantipora, and Pampore stations were proposed for phased development of cargo handling and logistics infrastructure. Operational issues at Budgam/Srinagar station were also raised for early resolution.

The delegation highlighted that growers faced multiple difficulties during last year’s loading season at several stations, particularly due to cumbersome security procedures, restricted access, and handling delays. It was proposed that modern, integrated security systems—such as high-sensitivity scanners, sensor-based monitoring, and streamlined checkpoint protocols—be installed. These measures would reduce manual intervention, shorten inspection time, and significantly expedite loading and unloading operations across all stations.

The delegation noted that Northern Railway is currently operating a VP (Parcel Van) service for cherry consignments from Katra (Jammu) to Mumbai five days a week, and it was conveyed that the service is under consideration for expansion to a seven-day schedule to ensure uninterrupted movement of highly perishable produce.

The need for upgradation of handling and logistics infrastructure at Bandra Terminus (Mumbai), Mumbai Central station, and Adarsh Nagar station (Delhi) was strongly raised to ensure faster unloading, efficient handling, and timely movement of fruits to mandis, particularly for highly perishable commodities like cherries.

Railway officials gave a detailed hearing and conveyed willingness to introduce refrigerated/AC cargo services, improved handling systems, and necessary infrastructure upgrades. The delegation emphasized that strengthened railway support will significantly enhance the efficiency, reliability, and competitiveness of Kashmir’s horticulture sector.

The joint team also visited apple and cherry orchards in Tangmarg to assess ground realities and align logistics planning with production zones.

The delegation expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Railways and Hon’ble Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw for continued support. The fruit trade also welcomed the direct connectivity of the Jammu–Srinagar Vande Bharat Express, noting that it will ease passenger movement and improve overall regional connectivity.

The interaction concluded on a constructive note, with Railway authorities assuring that all proposals will be examined and necessary steps taken to further strengthen rail-based horticulture logistics in Jammu & Kashmir.
Northern Railway Ministry of Railways, Government of India Ashwini Vaishnaw BA Basheer

29/04/2026

https://www.facebook.com/Srinagarmandi

FRESH FRUIT GROWERS & DEALERS UNION (since 1940)

28/04/2026

Fruit Growers’ Delegation Meets Union Agriculture Minister , Key Horticulture Reforms Demanded

Srinagar, 27 April 2026:
A delegation of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union, led by its President Bashir Ahmad Basheer, along with presidents of various Mandis and executive members, met the Hon’ble Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, at Hotel Taj.

The delegation apprised the Minister of key challenges faced by the horticulture sector in Jammu & Kashmir and submitted a detailed memorandum. The Minister gave a patient hearing and assured that the genuine concerns would be examined.

Key demands highlighted during the meeting:

* Implementation of Disease-Free Plantation programme in J&K horticulture sector.
* Re-introduction of Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for Grade C and fallen apples.
* Implementation of Crop Insurance Scheme for horticulture on the analogy of agriculture sector.
* Financial support for Clean Plant Programme (CPP) at Wadoora, Sopore.
* Establishment of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in District Baramulla.
* Creation of a dedicated Horticulture Estate on the pattern of industrial estates.
* Setting up of around 200 CA/Cold Stores across North and South Kashmir with subsidy support.
* Regulation of rising pesticide and fertilizer prices and rationalization of MRP.
* Priority transport corridor for perishable fruits on Srinagar–Jammu National Highway.
* Addressing export constraints, including high tax on apples in Bangladesh.
* Establishment of a Horticulture University for North Kashmir.
* Rejuvenation support for old orchards through high-density plantation schemes.
* Restoration of Top-Up Subsidy for CA stores in Pulwama and Shopian.
* Imposition of higher import duty on foreign apples to protect local growers.

The Union emphasized that horticulture is the backbone of J&K’s economy and sought immediate policy interventions to safeguard the livelihood of lakhs of fruit growers.

18/04/2026

KVFG DELEGATION
MEETS MINSTER,RAISES KEY
HORTICULTER ISSUES

A delegation led by Bashir Ahmad Basheer, President of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union, along with presidents of various fruit mandies across the Valley, met Hon’ble Agriculture/Horticulture Minister Javid Ahmad Dar Sahib and submitted a memorandum highlighting several urgent issues concerning the horticulture sector across Jammu & Kashmir.

Major issues highlighted by the delegation included:

• Implementation of Crop Insurance Scheme for the horticulture sector on the pattern of the agriculture sector to safeguard fruit growers against natural disasters and crop losses.

• Re-introduction of Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for Grade “C” Apples and Fallen Apples (Ghiran) to reduce heavy losses faced by fruit growers.

• Issuance and Renewal of Licenses in Fruit & Vegetable Markets only on the recommendations of concerned Fruit Growers Associations to protect genuine traders and growers.

• Unilateral Behaviour of CA/Cold Store Owners, including overloading of stores beyond approved capacity, inadequate cooling systems and frequent power cuts causing damage to stored fruit.

• Ex*****on and Transfer of Lease Deeds of shop sites and allotment of auction sheds in fruit mandies across the Valley.

• Constitution of Horticulture Marketing Board on the pattern of the Horticulture Development Board.

• Establishment of Separate Horticulture Estate on the pattern of Industrial Estates in J&K for CA stores, canning units, juice plants and allied industries.

• Upgradation and Development of Fruit Mandies including Parimpora, Sopore, Shopian, Anantnag and other mandies across the Valley.

The delegation expressed hope that the Government will take immediate steps for the welfare of fruit growers, dealers and the horticulture industry of Jammu & Kashmir.
BA Basheer Zargar Jeelani Omar Abdullah Following Azhar Tak Ministry of Agriculture & Farmer’s Welfare, Government of India Shivraj Singh Chouhan

10/04/2026

Kashmir’s fruit farmers race against time

BA Basheer

Srinagar, Apr 05: Persistent rainfall across Kashmir has begun to dampen expectations of a strong start to the Valley’s spring fruit season, with strawberry and cherry growers fearing potential losses at a critical stage of crop development.

04/04/2026

Following
Srinagar Fruit Mandi - NKFA

30/03/2026

Kashmir Fruit Growers Write to Agri Minister Ministry of Agriculture & Farmer’s Welfare, Government of India Shivraj Singh Chouhan Warn Iran–Israel Conflict May Impact Horticulture Sector :BA Basheer

20/03/2026

On the blessed occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union (KVFGDU) and The New Kashmir Fruit Assocation (NKFA), Srinagar extends heartfelt greetings to all Muslims, Fruit Growers, Traders and the entire community of the Valley.
BA Basheer
fans

18/02/2026

Ramadan Kareem! May Allah accept your prayers and fasts BA Basheer

15/02/2026

President Mr. Bashir Ahmed Basheer Sb & Gen. Secretary Mr. Mohd Ayoub Bhat Sb the two pillars of NKFA & KVFC who have tirelessly worked for Kashmir’s Growers and traders upliftment
True leadership, True dedication. 💪