Apple Festival 2.0: NABARD’s initiative brings farmers and consumers closer, providing a direct market for the farmers

The NABARD Uttarakhand Regional Office is organizing a two-day “Apple Festival 2.0” at the IT Park. A-grade apples (Royal, Red, and Golden Delicious) from the Harsil Valley, kiwis from Kapkot, juices, pickles, handloom products, walnuts, kidney beans, and herbs are on display and available for sale to the public. The event was inaugurated by Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Ganesh Joshi and NABARD Chief General Manager Pankaj Yadav.

Joshi stated that the Apple Festival celebrates the hard work, innovation, and agricultural entrepreneurship of Uttarakhand’s apple growers. It symbolizes the mountainous state’s agricultural potential and farmers’ self-reliance. He urged the inclusion of other agricultural and horticultural products in the upcoming festival. Such events provide the public with an opportunity to connect directly with farmers, directly increasing their income and ensuring their produce is sold at a fair price.

This initiative by NABARD is extremely important for farmers and rural producer organizations. The Chief General Manager of NABARD stated that the bank provides financial assistance and loans to farmers, self-help groups, and farmer producer organizations. He stated that such programs help connect farmers and women directly with customers, ensure fair prices for their produce, and strengthen the rural economy.

Farmers’ products were offered for sale through a mobile mart at the festival, and all purchases and sales were made through digital payments. Furthermore, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between NABARD and Uttarakhand Gramin Bank to provide financial assistance and loans to farmers. It was stated that in the future, the festival will be organized on a larger and grander scale, allowing more farmers to directly market their produce.

Farmers also expressed that such a platform allows them to receive fair prices for their produce and market their produce directly. Senior NABARD officials, representatives from the Reserve Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, State Bank of India, UCO Bank, Canara Bank, and the District Central Cooperative Bank were present at the inaugural ceremony.