HP & Uttrakhand fruit growers to visit Kashmir on March 3-6; to devise joint strategy on apple imports

Ziraat Times Team Report

1 March 2021, 6:52 pm 62 Comments

Srinagar, March 1: In a first, a delegation of Himachal Pradesh & Uttrakhand Fruit Growers Associations are due to visit Jammu & Kashmir between March 3-6 and aim to devise a joint strategy with their counterparts here regarding what they call ‘illegal apple imports into India’.

The visit is being organized by J&K Fruits and Vegetables Processing and Integrated Cold Chain Association (JKPICCA).

“The purpose of the visit is to have a joint forum to fight against the unlawful import of apples into India. The joint delegation is due to meet different associations of J&K and formalise a memorandum to be given to the LG and Ministry of Commerce and Finance”, an official of JKPICCA told Ziraat Times.

Similar meetings are planned to be held in Himachal and Uttarakhand, where fruit associations from J&K will participate.

Informed sources told Ziraat Times that the import of apples has not stopped into the country as of now and as of February 28, 2021, as many as 60 vehicles of ‘unlawfully-sourced imported apples were illegally sold in Azadpur mandi while only 20 vehicles from J&K were sold.

Reportedly, the market prices of apples have dropped by 20% since the imports resumed in early February.

The visiting delegation comprises of:

1. Harish Chauhan – President Fruits Vegetables & Flowers Growers
Association(FV&FGA) HP
2. Sanjay Chauhan – Secretary Kisan Sabha HP
3. Suneel Chauhan – Vice President FV&FGA HP
4. Sandeep Chauhan – Executive Member FV&FGA HP
5. Dawarika Prasad Unial – President Uttrakhand Growers Association
6. Praveen Sharma – Secretary Uttrakhand Growers Association & President
Mukteshwar Kisan Producing Cooperative