Srinagar, July 12, KDC: In response to the severe crisis facing Kashmir’s apple orchards, PDP youth president Waheed Parra has called for immediate government intervention to safeguard the livelihoods of local apple growers. He emphasized the urgent need to impose a 100% import duty on foreign apples, following a significant policy change last year that has resulted in a drastic decline in apple prices.
Parra in a tweet on X said “The government’s decision to abolish the 20% import duty on Washington apples and allow imports from the US, Iran, and South Africa has led to apple prices plummeting from Rs 1200 to Rs 600 per box. This has dealt a severe blow to Kashmiri apple growers, exacerbating the challenges posed by rising input costs.”
“The influx of cheap foreign apples is flooding our markets, undermining local produce and endangering the livelihood of our farmers,” Parra stated. “This situation not only threatens our agricultural economy but also jeopardizes the centuries-old tradition of apple cultivation in Kashmir.”
Parra stressed the necessity of instituting the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) and imposing a 100% import duty on foreign apples to prevent further damage to the local industry. He highlighted the disparity in subsidies, noting that while US farmers receive a 32% subsidy, domestic farmers in India receive only 2.5%, further aggravating the inequity.
“The government has a solemn duty to safeguard the farmers and their means of subsistence. By enforcing a 100% import duty on foreign apples, we can prevent further losses and protect our growers,” Parra urged. “This is not merely an economic imperative; it is a matter of survival for Kashmiri farmers and the preservation of our heritage.”
Kashmir’s apple industry, he noted, is not just an economic backbone but also a symbol of resilience and identity. Parra called on the government to prioritize the well-being of J&K’s citizens over profit-driven policies to ensure the protection and prosperity of local growers.
Parra reiterated that the only viable solution to the current crisis is the imposition of a 100% import duty on foreign apples, underscoring the need to protect Kashmiri growers and sustain the region’s agricultural legacy. (KDC)
