Highway blockade causes heavy losses, say apple growers

Srinagar, Aug 31: The Jammu and Kashmir Apple Farmers Federation has expressed deep concern over the continuous blockade of the national highway following the recent spell of inclement weather.The closure has left truckloads of ripened apple varieties stranded on the route, preventing timely transportation to both domestic and international markets, the Federation said.Federation president, Zahoor Ahmad Rather, in a statement issued here, said, “The highway blockade has left our fruit-laden trucks stranded for days, and the apples are beginning to rot inside the vehicles.”He said apple is the backbone of Kashmir’s economy, and every day of delay means huge financial losses for growers who rely on timely market access.“We urge the authorities to ensure smooth and uninterrupted movement of apple trucks so that the hard work of orchardists does not go to waste,” Rather said.He exhorted the administration to ensure that apple-laden trucks are given preference to reach different destinations once the blockade is lifted.