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| Horticulture Department fails apple growers of Kashmir, seek intervention of Delhi CM | | | Early Times Report
Srinagar, Feb 4: The role of Horticulture Department Kashmir has come under question for failing to save farmers from heavy losses.
Sources told Early Times that farmers have told the government that the Horticulture Department Kashmir was not playing a positive role to save apple growers from heavy losses. “This issue has been raised by farmers in various meetings with the government that the role of Horticulture Department has been confined to only statements without making any positive changes on the ground,” sources said.
Apple growers have suffered heavy losses for the last few years due to scab and other plant diseases. “Farmers are not told how they can be saved from such losses and what needs to be done,” a farmer from Shopian said. As authorities of the Horticulture Department Kashmir were not paying much attention to their pleas, fruit growers have shot off a letter to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal seeking a ban on Iranian apple imports.
“Apples from Iran arrive in our country via Afghanistan un-authorizedly. They are illegally auctioned at New Sabzi Mandi, Azadpur -Delhi. The illegal sale of imported apples in New Fruit Market Delhi has had an adverse impact on our produce. Plus the import and sale of proxy fruits in APMC Mandis are not allowed under the provisions of law,” said Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union (KVFGCDU), an apex body of the horticulturists in a letter.
Sources said they were forced to seek intervention of the Delhi Chief Minister as officers of the Horticulture Department Kashmir failed to raise this issue with concerned authorities. The Horticulture Department should have taken this issue with concerned authorities of Delhi Government, they say.
“Imposition of ban to restrict entry and sale of proxy fruits (imported apple from Iran) and sale thereof is, therefore, very necessary. Under the given circumstances your good self is accordingly requested to kindly look into the matter personally and direct all concerned authorities for immediate banning entry of imported apple from Iran via Afghanistan,” the letter reads.
Horticulture is the mainstay of Kashmir’s economy with seven lakh families directly and indirectly associated with the sector. 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. However, farmers have faced huge losses for the last two years.
“Department of Horticulture is only issuing statements and doing publicity for officials without doing anything on the ground. Tell officials of Horticulture Department what they have done for farmers for last two years,” Iqbal Ahmad, a farmer from Baramulla district said. Director Horticulture Kashmir could not be contacted for his comments. |
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