Kashmir Fruit Growers petition Union FM

Srinagar, Jan 29: Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers cum Dealers Union (KFGDU) Wednesday submitted a 10-point demand list to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman with primary focus on the establishment of Horticulture Estate in the Valley on the lines of Industrial Estate.
The Union submitted the list of demands to the Finance Minister through an email in New Delhi. “Yes, we submitted the list of our demands comprising ten crucial points,” KVFGDU president Bashir Ahmad Basheer told Rising Kashmir over phone from Delhi.
The development comes ahead of the budget session in Delhi. The Fruit growers have urged the Union Finance Minister to incorporate special budgetary provisions for safeguarding the Horticulture sector.
The list of demands submitted to the Union Finance Minister, a copy of which is with Rising Kashmir, reads that the Association represents over 700,000 families engaged in fruit cultivation across the region.
“A central demand is the implementation of a Crop Insurance Scheme for the horticulture industry, modeled on the existing agricultural scheme. Such a scheme would provide a much-needed safety net for growers, particularly when faced with the damaging effects of weather-related disasters, which have become more frequent in recent years,” the document reads.
Another key demand is the reintroduction of the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS), which was once used to lift “Grade C” apples and other lower-quality produce from the market. “With over 40% of the apple crop often categorized as “Grade C” or “Ghiran” (fallen apples), fruit growers in the region have long struggled with market prices that do not reflect the actual production costs. The reintroduction of the MIS would offer a government-backed solution, ensuring that growers are compensated for their losses and that excess produce is absorbed into the market at fair prices,” the list of demands read further.
The Union also sought the exemption of GST on essential items such as cardboard boxes, plastic trays, fertilizers, and pesticides—all critical for the safe transport and cultivation of fruit. who form.
The significant demands include the establishment of a separate Horticulture Estate, similar to the Industrial Estate in the region, to facilitate the setup of cold storage facilities, canning factories, and juice plants. “This estate would provide a single-window facility for fruit growers to access various services, ensuring that the fruits are processed and stored efficiently, reducing waste and increasing profitability,” the document added.
Furthermore, the Association has called for the development of new fruit orchards for crops like kiwi, grapes, and pomegranate, which are currently under-produced in the region but have great potential for diversification and export.
The demands also include the establishment of testing laboratories across the Valley, which would help fruit growers test their produce for quality and compliance with food safety standards, ensuring that they can access both domestic and international markets.
Additionally, the rejuvenation of damaged orchards and the provision of high-density plant material are top priorities. “Given the increasing frequency of natural calamities, including the devastating floods of 2014 and the economic impacts of COVID-19, the Union urges the government to provide financial assistance for orchard restoration and the establishment of sustainable farming practices,” the demand list stated.
Finally, the Union has requested the waiver of Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loans for the poorest fruit growers who have faced multiple setbacks in the past, including floods, droughts, and other adversities, which have hindered their ability to repay their loans.