Srinagar, Mar 11 (KNO): The Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union (KVFGDU) on Tuesday sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narender Modi and Union Agriculture Minister to stop import of apples from other countries to save local industry.
In separate letters to PM Modi and the Union Agriculture Minister, copies of which are lying with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), KVFGDU said that import of apples from other countries has put the local fruit industry in a precarious situation and there is immediate need for intervention. "The Horticulture Industry of J&K (UT) is treated as the backbone and main contributors of the economy. More than seven lakh families are directly or indirectly dependent on this industry," reads the letter written to the Prime Minister.
"Our country is one of the world's largest producers of apples, however, the arrival of imported apples has put the fruit industry of J&K, Himachal Pradesh and Utrakhand in a very difficult situation pushing the small and marginal fruit growers of these three regions to the edge. The heavy flow of imported apples in the Indian markets and sale thereof is not only disastrous for small and marginal growers but also results in huge losses to state exchequer," the letter reads, as per KNO.
“United States President Donald J. Trump's recent announcement about the implementation of "Reciprocal Tariffs" said to take effect on April 2, 2025 will further slash down import duty on Washington apples. It will further add to the miseries of the Kashmir based fruit growers cum dealers. They fear that the reduction/slashing down of the tariff on Washington apples will significantly increase the import of the US apple in Indian markets, shrinking the space for local products,” it states further.
"In fact, Kashmir based fruit growers cum dealers have consistently suffered heavy losses since past several years due to one or the other reason like turmoil, devastating 2014 deluge and untimely strong hail storm, gusty winds and heavy rains causing enough damages in fruit orchards," the letter states, as per KNO.
"Under the circumstances explained above we request the Hon'ble Prime Minister to kindly consider necessary measures for saving the fruit industry of J&K, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand and kindly avoid negotiation on reciprocal tariffs announced by President Trump instead efforts be made for imposition of 100% duty on arrival of Washington apple in the Indian markets," it reads further.
Similar letter has been sent to the Union Agriculture Minister.
Notably, "Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union Srinagar" is an elected umbrella body of all fruit growers associations of the Valley viz Srinagar, Sopore, Baramulla, Handwara, Kupwara, Char-e-Shareef, Shopian, Pulwama, Anantnag, Jablipura, Kulgam, Pachahar and Zazna Ganderbal—(KNO)