Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Oct 31: The horticulture sector has been the main target of militants as Kashmir's economy is largely dependent upon this sector.
For the last 16 days, people associated with apple trade have been main target of militants in Kashmir to enforce unrest.
As valley has been limping to normalcy, attacks on non-local labourers have created a fear among people associated with apple trade, like non-local truckers, and labourers.
For the last 16, the militants have killed 11 non-local truckers and labourers in various attacks in Kashmir.
Earlier posters appeared in several parts of Kashmir, warning people associated with apple trade not to export apple outside. People associated with apple trade in these posters were threatened that they shall bear the losses like other sectors like tourism, hotel, and other business sectors and shall not export apple.
The killings of non-local workers, traders and truck drivers have provoked a sense of fear among non-locals who load their trucks and transport Kashmiri apples to other states.
"I don't feel safe here now. My family is constantly asking me to return," said Sanjeev, a labourer from Bihar, who had come to Kashmir on October 13.
Bashir Ahmad Basheer, Chairman, Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers and Dealers Association said government shall ensure security of truck drivers.
"Almost 70 percent truckers who export apple from Kashmir are non-locals. The apple growers are already facing huge losses as we are not able to export fruits," Basheer said.
Horticulture is the mainstay of Kashmir's economy with seven lakh families directly and indirectly associated with the sector. The horticulture contributes seven percent to the Gross State Domestic Product of Jammu and Kashmir.
More than 3.38 lakh hectares of land is under the fruit cultivation in the valley. Of which 1.62 lakh hectares is under the apple cultivation. Last year the fruit production including dry fruits touched 23.30 lakh tonnes last year compared to 22.34 lakh tonnes in 2017.
Jammu and Kashmir is the largest producer of apple in the country with production touching 18.28 lakh metric tonnes last year. The apple production was 17.27 lakh metric tonnes in 2017.
This year so far, around 7 lakh metric tonnes of apple have been exported.
The government last month launched the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) in association with National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED), at easing difficulties of the apple growers in the valley.
Director Horticulture, Kashmir, Ajaz Ahmad Bhat said around 4000 metric tonnes of apple have been exported under the MIS so far.
"Most of the traders have export the apple on their own without benefitting from the MIS," Bhat said.
Kashmir's fruit season starts in May when first crop of cherry is harvested. It is followed by pears and other fruits which hit the market in the following months. Apple is almost the last crop that hits the market in autumn. Bulk of the apples is exported to the markets in Delhi. Some of the crop is also sold in Bangalore, Mumbai, Ahmadabad and other cities. |
