SRINAGAR: The Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union (KVFGDU) on Tuesday sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Agriculture Minister to halt the import of apples from other countries in order to protect the local industry.
In separate letters to PM Modi and the Union Agriculture Minister, KVFGDU said that apple imports have placed the local fruit industry in a precarious situation, necessitating immediate government intervention. “The Horticulture Industry of J&K (UT) is considered the backbone of the economy and a major contributor. More than seven lakh families are directly or indirectly dependent on this sector,” reads the letter addressed to the Prime Minister.
“Our country is one of the world’s largest apple producers. However, the influx of imported apples has severely impacted fruit growers in J&K, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, pushing small and marginal farmers to the brink. The heavy flow of imported apples in Indian markets is not only disastrous for these growers but also leads to significant revenue losses for the state exchequer,” the letter states.
“United States President Donald J. Trump’s recent announcement regarding the implementation of ‘Reciprocal Tariffs,’ set to take effect on April 2, 2025, will further reduce import duties on Washington apples. This move will exacerbate the challenges faced by Kashmir-based fruit growers and dealers. They fear that a reduction in tariffs on Washington apples will flood the Indian market with US imports, leaving little room for local produce,” it further states.
“Kashmir’s fruit growers have suffered persistent losses over the years due to various reasons, including political turmoil, the devastating 2014 floods, and extreme weather events such as hailstorms, gusty winds, and heavy rainfall, which have severely damaged orchards,” the letter states.
“Given the circumstances outlined above, we urge the Honourable Prime Minister to take necessary steps to protect the fruit industry in J&K, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. We request the government to avoid negotiating on the reciprocal tariffs announced by President Trump and instead impose a 100 per cent duty on Washington apples entering Indian markets,” the letter reads further.
A similar letter has also been sent to the Union Agriculture Minister.
Notably, the “Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union Srinagar” is an elected umbrella body representing all fruit growers’ associations across the Valley, including those in Srinagar, Sopore, Baramulla, Handwara, Kupwara, Char-e-Shareef, Shopian, Pulwama, Anantnag, Jablipura, Kulgam, Pachahar, and Zazna Ganderbal. (KNO)
