All India Kisan Sabha urges govt to protect interests of J&K’s apple farmers

Shopian, Aug 04: The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) on Sunday urged the government to take immediate steps to safeguard the interests of apple farmers in Jammu and Kashmir.
The AIKS held a convention in Tukroo village of south Kashmir’s Shopian district, organised by the Kashmir branch of the All India Kisan Sabha, The convention witnessed a large turnout of concerned farmers.
Rajan Kshirsagar, President of AIKS, addressed the gathering, describing the apple industry as the backbone of Jammu and Kashmir’s economy. He emphasised the need for government investment in research and development in this vital sector.
“I have come to show solidarity with the apple farmers of Jammu and Kashmir,” Kshirsagar said, adding that the convention’s purpose is to raise the genuine demands of local farmers.
Kshirsagar revealed that more than 500,000 tonnes of apples are imported into the country, a 70% increase that significantly impacts local apple growers.
To protect their interests, he demanded a 300% import duty on foreign apples. “All India Kisan Sabha will oppose this import to safeguard the interests of local apple growers,” he said.
Kshirsagar called for the central government to announce a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for apples, ensuring local farmers benefit. He suggested adopting a model similar to that of Kerala’s vegetable and fruit farmers. “All India Kisan Sabha will strive to secure an MSP for apples,” he said.
The President AIKS also advocated for a stringent law to curb the sale of substandard and spurious pesticides across the country. He emphasised the necessity of a separate Union Territory (UT) level crop insurance scheme for farmers in Jammu and Kashmir.
He proposed extending MGNREGA support to apple plantations, stressing the government’s duty to prevent the entry of invasive pests through imported plantation materials by ensuring proper quarantine protocols.
Kshirsagar assured the farmers that their counterparts across the country stand with them and are committed to protecting their interests.
During the convention, it was highlighted that the apple industry in Kashmir, which accounts for 78% of India’s apple production, is a significant source of employment and income for millions in the valley.
It was informed that despite over 300,000 hectares of land dedicated to orchards and a considerable increase in apple production, including high-quality Italian varieties, growers are facing severe financial losses.
They said that rising production costs, market exploitation, and inadequate government support are key issues which need to be addressed.