Srinagar, Feb 20 (JKNS): Former Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti on Friday appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to safeguard Kashmiri horticulture by keeping apples out of the proposed Indo-US trade deal.
Addressing press conference in Srinagar as per news agency JKNS, Mehbooba expressed serious concern over reports suggesting zero-duty imports of American apples, warning that such a decision would severely impact the Valley’s orchard-based economy.
“Horticulture is the backbone of Kashmir’s economy, sustaining over seven lakh families whose livelihoods, children’s education and healthcare depend entirely on it. Allowing zero-duty American apple imports will deliver a death blow to our orchard economy,” she said.
She stated that the sector is already struggling due to low-priced Iranian apple imports routed through SAFTA, which have depressed market rates and weakened demand for local produce.
“Flooding our markets with heavily subsidised American apples will trigger a price war that our growers simply cannot win,” Mehbooba said.
Highlighting the challenges faced by local orchardists, she pointed to climate uncertainties, fragile supply chains and high transportation costs, while noting that American farmers benefit from massive government subsidies.
“Protecting Kashmiri apples is not protectionism; it is about safeguarding livelihoods, heritage and the dignity of farming,” she asserted.
Mehbooba demanded that apples be excluded from the Indo-US trade list, import duty be retained at a minimum of 50 percent to ensure a level playing field, Minimum Import Price (MIP) norms be strictly enforced, and targeted subsidies, easy credit and infrastructure support be extended to local growers.
“If the Centre fails to act, lakhs of orchard families will be pushed into irreversible financial distress,” she warned. (JKNS)
