Apple Farmers' Group to Hold Anti-Corporate Demonstrations in J&K

Srinagar: The apple farmers in Jammu and Kashmir will be holding anti-corporate demonstrations on August 9 and a three-day mahapadav in Srinagar from November 26 to 28, a farmer group said after holding the first state conference in the region. 

The conference was organised by the Apple Farmers’ Federation of India (AFFI), which is affiliated to All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), in the valley’s apple town of Shopian on July 15-16 that was attended by hundreds of farmers from across the Union Territory. 

As many as 165 delegates from 10 apple-dominated districts of Kashmir and four delegates from Jammu participated in the proceedings of the conference on July 15 that was inaugurated by AIKS finance secretary P Krishnaprasad.

 A public meeting was held in the South Kashmir district on Sunday before the conference concluded, which was attended by apple farmers from Shopian, Kulgam and other apple-growing districts. 

In a statement, AFFI convener Sohan Singh Thakur said that it was the first time that apple growers had gathered to form their own collective organisation in a volatile and sensitive area of Shopian. 

“The Conference marks an importance juncture for the resumption of the democratic process in the district, as well as in all of J&K,” he said. 

A report was placed by AFFI co-convener Zahoor Ahmad Rather discussing various issues affecting the Apple economy like dwindling prices, withdrawal of state support in inputs leading to their rising costs, stagnation in productivity, need for adequate and subsidised cold chain infrastructure, and extreme climatic disturbances like hailstorms. 

The report presented a 14-point charter of demands and was adopted by the delegates following a discussion.

During the conference, an 11-member state committee was also elected, for which Rather was elected President and Abdul Rashid Itoo was elected Secretary. 

The participants underlined the need to save the apple economy of the region, which is considered the backbone of the region’s economy, with more than 1/3rd of the total population dependent on it.  

Apple farmers in Kashmir are grappling with several issues despite harvesting bumper crops as concerns over market pricing, logistics, and political turmoil mounted over the last few years. The fruit growers have recently expressed concerns over reducing import duty on Washington Apples, which the farmer believes will increase price competition for local produce and reduce market share. 

Calling for steps to safeguard farmers’ rights, the gathering was addressed by several farm leaders, including AIKS president Dr Ashok Dhawale and former J&K senior Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami.