KASHMIR witnessed a bumper apple crop this year but despite that the farmers have not benefited to the extent they should have. Transportation has been the biggest challenge with the apple-laden trucks finding themselves stranded for days on end, leading to the perishing of a large quantity of produce. This has dealt a severe blow to the sector which is the backbone of the local economy. Currently, five lakh families (around 25 lakh people) in the state are practicing horticulture. Apple occupies around 40 percent of the total area under fruit and accounts for 90 percent of the total production of fruits in the state. Apple season, as a result, is a crucial time for Kashmir economy. Any disruption of the season, either due to a troubled situation or caused by hurdles in transportation can wreak havoc. And it has been done this year. This year has witnessed a bumper crop of apples, more than 2.1 million metric tonnes, according to a statement by the divisional commissioner Pandurang K Pole. The Kashmir Valley produces two-thirds of the country’s apples and earns around Rs 10,000 crore from the industry.
Already, the growing costs of pesticides and transportation have reduced considerably the returns from exports. And if the sector suffers major losses because of the obstacles in transportation, it would not only affect the apple farmers but also the economy as a whole. The existing state of affairs is thus grim news for the region.
However, the apple crop is not just hemmed in by the transportation mess, it has in recent years also faced competition from the imported Iranian apple. Though Kashmir accounts for more than 75 percent of India’s total apple production, the Iranian apple has threatened to further undermine its profitability. Last year, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed the imposition of a 35 percent Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess in the Union Budget on the apples. However, the cess was not levied on the domestic production of apples. This was expected to benefit Kashmiri apple but it hasn’t as the Iranian apple and those from other countries are reducing its appeal for Indian consumers.
It is incumbent on the government to intervene and ensure that the trucks are given a smooth passage. In fact, the government needs to do more to ensure that the apples get a fair price as lakhs of families depend on the trade for their livelihood. And to that end, a hassle-free transportation is critical and government needs to step in to ensure it and everything is done to save the apple trade. The governments needs not only to ensure a safe environment and safe passage for the trade but also an effort not to politicize the sector.
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