Srinagar, Nov 18 (KNO): Fuming over the government inaction, All Valley Fruit Growers and Dealers Association (AVFGDA) Kashmir on Tuesday lashed out at authorities for failing to announce compensation for the massive losses suffered by the horticulture sector due to the recent highway blockade.
The association estimated the losses at over Rs 2,000 crore and demanded immediate government relief to rescue the valley’s fruit industry from its deepening crisis.
Addressing a joint press conference at Fruit Mandi Sopore, the Association Chairman, Bashir Ahmed Basheer, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that the recent closure of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway had crippled fruit transportation during the peak harvest season, leaving growers and traders in severe financial distress.
He said it was unfortunate that the sector, which forms the backbone of Kashmir’s economy, continues to be ignored despite repeated appeals.
“We urge the government to announce a comprehensive compensation package. Both the Centre and the local administration have failed to respond to the plight of growers and dealers. Over 80 percent of Kashmir’s population depends directly or indirectly on horticulture and this apathy is pushing the entire community toward economic ruin,” Basheer said.
The association also linked the sector’s ongoing decline to escalating input costs and the use of substandard pesticides available in the market. Basheer said that fake and poor-quality pesticides were not only damaging the produce but had also increased cultivation expenses manifold.
“Even if fruit production grows, the cost of sprays and fertilizers has risen drastically, severely affecting our profit margins. We appeal to the government to regulate pesticide quality and pricing immediately,” he added.
Basheer further appealed to growers to refrain from using artificial coloring on apples, warning that the practice was harming both the produce and the credibility of Kashmiri fruit in national and international markets. He said maintaining quality and natural standards was vital to sustain buyers’ trust and ensure long-term market stability.
The association reiterated its long-pending demand for implementation of the Crop Insurance Scheme (CIS) in Kashmir, pointing out that while Jammu region — which relies less on horticulture benefits from the scheme, the Valley remains excluded. “Crop insurance could provide a vital safety net against recurring losses due to natural disasters and transport disruptions, yet Kashmir still lacks access to it", the chairman said.
Highlighting the shortage of adequate Controlled Atmosphere (CA) storage facilities, Basheer said Kashmir has only around 80 CA stores when the requirement is at least 200–250. “If we had enough CA stores, we could hold our produce during road blockages and avoid large-scale losses. Expanding storage infrastructure is crucial to safeguard the interests of growers and maintain price stability”, he noted.
The association urged the government to treat horticulture as a key economic sector and take immediate measures to restore growers’ confidence. “The government must act before the situation worsens further. The fruit industry is not just about traders—it is the lifeline of Kashmir’s economy,” Basheer said—(KNO)