Sopore, Dec 25 (KNO): Fruit industry leaders Thursday issued a grave warning that the widespread use of substandard cardboard packaging—locally known as 'Baardana' will paralyze operations at fruit Mandis.
In a crucial all-valley meeting, President of Asia's second-largest Mandi in Sopore, Fayaz Ahmad Malik Aka ‘Kaka Ji’, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that the low-quality Baardana fruit packing not only harms the presentation but also risks disrupting mandi operations, potentially leading to market shutdowns and economic downturns.
On the occasion, the growers, cardboard distributors, manufacturers and band saw owners were urged to enforce a ban on low-quality Silkaid products to avert the risks of losses.
Manufacturers, during the meet pledged full cooperation and agreed to manufacture standard box sizes to protect the quality of apples.
The president of Mandi also urged the government to enforce strict compliance on substandard cardboard, pesticides and fertilizers, which according to him have caused significant losses to the industry.
He urged the J&K government to take up the matter with the union government to provide a special relief package for growers that were affected from past couple of years—(KNO)