New Delhi, Jul 15 (PTI) Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Wednesday flagged off the first consignment of indigenous Raktsey Karpo and Halman apricots under the Union Territory's largest-ever export programme to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and pitched for setting up a world-class apricot processing unit to boost value addition and overseas shipments.

The inaugural consignment of five metric tonnes was flagged off from Ladakh Bhawan here under an agreement signed by the Ladakh administration earlier this year.

The initiative is expected to facilitate the export of more than 1,000 metric tonnes of fresh apricots during the current harvest season, a quantum leap from around 1,500 kg exported over the previous two years.

"It would not be incorrect to say that today marks a historic occasion for Ladakh's entire horticulture sector, and especially for its hardworking farmers," Saxena said, adding that the export would give Ladakh's world-famous Raktsey Karpo and Halman apricots "a new and strong identity" in international markets.

He said direct access to overseas markets would enable farmers to obtain "fair and better prices" for their produce, leading to higher incomes and improved living standards.

Highlighting the region's unique climatic conditions, Saxena said Ladakh's high altitude, intense sunlight, cool temperatures and pristine ecosystem enhance the colour, flavour, sweetness and nutritional value of its apricots, making them highly sought-after globally.

The export programme focuses on Raktsey Karpo and Halman, Ladakh's indigenous apricot varieties, which are internationally recognised for their exceptional sweetness, rich flavour, superior nutritional value, and organic cultivation.

Referring to the export programme, Saxena said more than 1,000 metric tonnes of apricots would be shipped from Ladakh this season.

He added that exporters undertake harvesting, sorting, grading, packing, transportation, and marketing, relieving farmers of the burden of managing the entire supply chain while reducing post-harvest losses.

Speaking to reporters after the flag-off, Saxena said, "We signed an agreement in April to export 1,000 tonnes of apricots. Today, under that agreement, a five-tonne consignment has been flagged off from here and is set to depart for Dubai this evening." "Farmers simply provide access to their orchards, and the exporter manages the entire process," he said.

Saxena said the Ladakh administration had been monitoring the movement of trucks carrying the produce from orchards to Delhi through a dedicated control room and would continue extending full support to ensure timely exports.

He said the administration was also working to facilitate a green corridor or similar arrangements so that trucks carrying the fruit could reach Delhi in 2-3 days.

With support from Container Corporation of India (CONCOR), the administration has also ensured cold-chain transportation for the highly perishable fruit to preserve its freshness during transit.

Calling for value addition in the horticulture sector, Saxena said he would strive to establish a world-class apricot processing unit in Ladakh within a year.

"Our challenge today is the lack of high-quality processing units. However, I assure you that I will strive to establish a world-class processing unit in Ladakh within a year," he said, adding that it would help address the fruit's short shelf life and make exports smoother.

Saxena said the initiative would create new marketing opportunities, increase farmers' incomes, reduce post-harvest losses, encourage greater investment in horticulture and help establish Ladakh as one of India's leading exporters of premium-quality horticultural produce.

He thanked APEDA, CONCOR, Lulu Group, and officials of the Ladakh administration for supporting the export initiative. PTI MHS TRB