Ladakhi Blossoms: Global Growth for Local Apricots

The horticulture sector in Ladakh has received a substantial boost as the administration inked a Memorandum of Understanding with LuLu Retail to export 1,000 tonnes of premium Ladakhi apricots to international markets. This agreement is a significant increase from the mere 1.5 tonnes exported over the past two years.

Pushed by Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena to promote Ladakh's unique varieties, the MoU with UAE-based LuLu Retail signifies a historic milestone. The agreement was signed in conjunction with APEDA and the Ministry of Food Processing Industry, aiming to improve market access and value addition for local produce.

This initiative will streamline the supply chain for farmers, allowing LuLu Retail to handle all aspects of the export process, reducing losses and ensuring fair pricing. Furthermore, plans for an e-commerce portal are underway to further support direct market access for Ladakhi farmers.