First commercial shipment of Mishri variety of cherries from Kashmir exported to Dubai

Source: PIB 

What is the News?

The first commercial shipment of Mishri variety of cherries from Kashmir valley has been exported to Dubai from Srinagar.

About Mishri Cherries:

• Mishri varieties of Cherries not only taste delicious but also contain vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds with health benefits.
• The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir produces more than 95% of India’s production of commercial varieties of cherries. It produces four varieties of cherry — Double, Makhmali, Mishri, and Italy.
• Cherries are harvested, cleaned, and packed by APEDA registered exporters before exports. For ensuring exports of quality agricultural produce, APEDA has also initiated an awareness program on National Programme on Organic Production.

Key Fact Mentioned in the Article:

National Program for Organic Production(NPOP):

• The NPOP Program was launched by the Ministry of Commerce in 2001.
• Purpose: NPOP grants organic farming certification to products through a process of third-party certification.
• The program also involves the accreditation program for Certification Bodies, standards for organic production, promotion of organic farming and marketing, etc.
• Implementation: It is implemented by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.