Srinagar, Sep 11: Political parties in Jammu & Kashmir have expressed dismay over the removal of additional duties on apples, walnuts and almond imports from the USA, saying the measure will directly hit the interests of the horticulture industry in Kashmir.
Voicing concern over the decision, National Conference’s Horticulture and Agriculture Committee Chairman Javed Dar in a statement said that slashing the additional duties on apples, walnuts in shells, and fresh or dried almonds, as well as shelled almonds to be imported from America, will have a direct bearing on Kashmir fruit growers as all these products, which are locally grown and produced, will suffer huge losses.
“The quantum of cheap apples and dry fruits entering India from the US will eat into the market share of the Kashmiri produce as a result of which the growers will suffer huge economic losses. The local fruit industry is already facing stiff challenges due to the weather vagaries, road blockages, dearth of cold storage facilities, escalating production cost and much more,” he said.
Dar said the industry is no longer delivering good returns, making the business unviable as the imported fruits will sell for a much cheaper price. “The horticulture sector in Kashmir has already lost momentum due to the failure of the government to address the concerns of the growers. The decision will further push them to the wall,” he said.
Javed asked the government to rationalise the fruit imports from the US in order to protect the vital financial interests of the local growers.
Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) chief spokesperson Salman Nizami in a statement said the move is likely to affect the apple and walnut industry of Kashmir which is the main source of their economy.
“Once the extra tariffs are lifted, the American apples and walnuts may dominate the local market evident from the past. Prime Minister Narendra Modi must take the move cautiously to ensure local growers are not affected,” he said.
Salman said India has lifted extra tariffs on US products, including walnuts and apples, initially imposed in retaliation to the US steel and aluminium tariffs. “We are concerned about its impact on local growers in J&K, especially after huge losses in 2019. Hope Prime Minister keeps the interests of J&K farmers in mind and do something about it,” he said.
The DPAP spokesperson said that over 60 percent of Kashmir’s population relies on the apple and walnut industry and it is serving as the main engine of its economic prosperity.
Congress Working Committee Member (CWC) Ghulam Ahmad Mir averred that lifting additional duties on the import of various American products shall lead to economic distress, and huge losses to J&K and Himachal fruit Industry.
Mir in a statement urged the GoI to revisit the decision in the larger interests of growers.
Commenting on the lifting of additional duties on the import of American products such as chickpeas, lentils and apples, Mir said, “This decision will severely impact the fruit industry in J&K and Himachal, while the J&K growers have already undergone tremendous losses, be it the unfavourable situation or be it the climatic urgencies happened from time to time.”
“Post-2019, Kashmir fruit industry is confronted with losses,” the Congress leader said, adding, “There was a need for a special bailout package for the growers to overcome the economic crisis instead the decision regarding lifting import duties on American products shall create more problems for the growers and market as well.”
Mir urged the GoI to revisit the decision in the larger interests of growers and laid emphasis on providing an economic package to the Kashmir fruit industry ensuring that they come out of the economic distress.
