Jammu and Kashmir: Hill States Horticulture Forum formed to safeguard interests of growers

In a statement the Forum said that the hilly States besides UT of Jammu and Kashmir, State of Himachal Pradesh was represented by Harish Chauhan President Fruit, Vegetable & Flower growers Association, Sunil Chauhan Vice-President Fruit Vegetable & Flower Growers Association, Sandeep Chauhan Apple Growers Association and Sanjay Chauhan Secretary General Himachal Kisan Saba and Uttarakhand was represented by Parveen Sharma General Secretary Apple Growers association Uttarakhand and a Joint Forum Namely Hill States Horticulture Forum was announced.

“This Forum is an amalgamation of all the stakeholders namely growers, consolidators supply chains and associates from all three Apple growing hill states,” it said.

The Forum said that the challenges for the fruit growers and other stakeholders in Horticulture sector in these hilly states are swelling up day by day.

The horticulture and cultivation of vegetables are considered in these Sate/UTs as main source of employment and economical wellbeing, it said.

The Joint Committee after thorough discussions held in the meeting formed a Joint Forum to approach the respective Governments for redressal of the vital issues in the first instance.

“Illegal and unlawful import of apples from Iran & other neighboring countries through Afghanistan under SAFTA at Zero Percent import duty. This is not only harmful but will prove fatal for the small and marginally fruit Growers.
The sale of these Apples in Mandi’s which are meant for domestic famers only. This has resulted in 30-40% decrease in prices for domestic famers this year and there is an anticipation that if this continues farmers in these apple growing states will have no market left and will have no means of Sustenance,” it said.

“To safeguard the interests of the Domestic Growers and the Associates, the import duty on apple should be levied 100% on realistic basis and import should be fixed, otherwise, this undervaluation of duty will result in losses of revenue to the respective government.”

The Forum demanded that all the Horticulture produce in these hilly States/UT’s ie. Apple and other varieties of fruits and vegetables should be brought under MSP.

“It was further decided by the Inter-State joint Forum constituted to approached the respective Governments through joint Memorandum for initiation of necessary steps to be taken for redressal of these problems otherwise it will prove detrimental and insidious for horticulture sector in near future in these hilly States/UTs. The meeting ended with vote of thanks to the chair,” it said.