Srinagar, Feb 07 (KNO): The Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union (KVFGCDU), the apex body representing fruit growers and traders across the Valley, has welcomed several horticulture-focused measures announced in the Jammu and Kashmir Budget Estimates for the year 2026–27, presented by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
In a statement sent to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that the Union lauds the introduction and strengthening of a Crop Insurance Scheme exclusively for apple orchards and the proposed expansion of Controlled Atmosphere (CA) storage facilities. “These are crucial steps toward stabilising Kashmir’s horticulture economy,” it added.
“These initiatives will provide long-term protection to fruit growers against unpredictable weather conditions and market volatility. Apple forms the backbone of J&K’s horticulture sector, and crop insurance is a much-needed safety net,” the statement said,
The Union stressed the urgent need to extend crop insurance coverage to other fruit crops, including cherry, plum, peach, pear, and babagosha, which are equally vulnerable to climatic disasters.
They expressed deep disappointment over the absence of a special compensation package for massive crop losses suffered due to untimely rains, hailstorms, snowfall, and floods in recent years—particularly the devastating deluge of 2025.
“Fruit growers across the Valley have suffered losses estimated at nearly ₹2,000 crore. Many orchardists are on the verge of financial collapse, yet the Budget has not allocated any relief or compensation for these weather-related damages,” the statement said.
KVFGCDU highlighted several long-standing demands that remain unaddressed, including: Reintroduction of the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) to stabilize fruit prices, Establishment of a separate Horticulture Estate on the pattern of industrial estates, Subsidy on packaging material such as trays and a ban on silicate-based cardboard boxes, Declaring tree spray oil as an agricultural product, Subsidies on fertilizers, pesticides, and promotion of organic farming, Setting up testing laboratories across J&K, Enhanced funding for horticulture tools like borewells and weeders, Relief for poor orchardists under Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loans and interest waivers and Development of major fruit mandis including Parimpora, Sopore, Shopian, Pulwama, and Anantnag
The Union also voiced serious concern over the reduction of apple import duties under free trade agreements, particularly the cut from 50 percent to 25 percent on New Zealand apples, warning that it has already led to a surge in foreign apple imports.
“This policy has adversely affected local apple prices and threatens the livelihoods of growers not only in Kashmir but also in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand,” the Union said.
It demanded the imposition of over 100 percent import duty on American and European apples, cautioning that without protection, J&K’s horticulture sector could soon turn into a “sick industry.
The KVFGCDU urged the government to hold immediate consultations with growers’ representatives to formulate a comprehensive relief and revival package, including compensation for crop losses, subsidies on plant protection chemicals, and restructuring of farm loans.
Despite the concerns, the Union reaffirmed its confidence in the present leadership and expressed hope that the remaining demands would be addressed in the larger interest of sustaining Kashmir’s horticulture economy.
“The horticulture sector is the lifeline of Jammu and Kashmir. Timely intervention and farmer-centric policies are essential to safeguard thousands of livelihoods dependent on it,” the Union added further—(KNO)