Shopian, July 16: The two-day historic ‘State Conference’ of the Jammu & Kashmir unit of the Apple Farmers’ Federation of India (J&K AFFI) concluded successfully in the apple town of Shopian on Sunday with a clarion call to ‘Save Apple, Save Kashmir’.
The conference holds special significance as it marks the formation of the first collective organization for apple growers in the region. Moreover, it represents an essential step towards resuming the democratic process in the district and throughout Jammu & Kashmir.
It witnessed the enthusiastic participation of over a thousand apple farmers from across the Kashmir Valley and the Jammu region.
During the first day of the conference, 165 delegates hailing from 10 apple-dominated districts of Kashmir, including 4 delegates from Jammu, participated in the proceedings. The conference was inaugurated by P Krishnaprasad, the Finance Secretary of AIKS (All India Kisan Sabha).
Former MLA Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami, also extended his greetings to the conference attendees. A comprehensive report was presented by Zahoor Ahmad Rather, which discussed several issues plaguing the apple economy. These issues included dwindling prices, lack of state support leading to increased input costs, stagnation in productivity, the necessity for adequate and subsidized cold chain infrastructure, and the impact of extreme climatic disturbances like hailstorms. The report also introduced a 14-point charter of demands, which received unanimous adoption by the delegates following an extensive discussion.
The conference expressed deep condolences for the lives lost in floods and showed solidarity with the people affected by the recent devastations in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and other states.
The second day of the conference saw the election of an 11-member state committee, with Zahoor Ahmad Rather being elected as President and Abdul Rashid Itoo as Secretary. The delegate session concluded with a powerful speech by AIKS President Dr. Ashok Dhawale.
On the same day, despite heavy rains and increased security checks, more than one thousand apple farmers from Shopian, Kulgam, and other apple-growing districts gathered for an impressive public meeting in Shopian.
The meeting was inaugurated by Dr. Ashok Dhawale, accompanied by prominent figures such as P Krishnaprasad, Zahoor Ahmad Rather, Ghulam Nabi Malik, Mohammad Afzal, Abdul Rashid Pandit, and Om Prakash, who all addressed the gathering. The concluding speech was delivered by Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami.
As per the decisions taken in the conference, J&K AFFI will hold anti-corporate demonstrations in the region on August 9. Furthermore, a three-day mahapadav (mass protest) will take place in Srinagar from November 26 to 28, focusing on the pressing issues faced by farmers and workers.
