Shopian, Aug 31: An emergency meeting of Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union was held at Fruit Mandi, Aglar Shopian on 29-08-2022 (Tuesday) at under the Chairmanship of Bashir Ahmad Basheer, Chairman, KVFG Union wherein excepting one or two all Presidents and General Secretaries of all Fruit Associations of the Valley were present, an official statement said.
The said meeting continued to late hours and it was found need of the hour unanimously to submit the following demands for consideration of LT Governors Administration in the interest of Horticulture Industry of J&K (UT):
1. The Fruit Growers of the Valley are expecting sufficient produce of all varieties of Apple during present Fruit season but the Marketing of Apple crop is completely down and there is no proper demand. The Valley Based Fruit Growers are, therefore, extremely worried with apprehension of heavy losses.
2. There is immediate need of LT Governor’s Administration for immediate consideration of remedial measures of sufficient Marketing of Apple produce of Valley Based Fruit Growers Cum Dealers so that they are saved from heavy losses.
3. Import and dumping of Iranian apple in our Country and marketing thereof is disastrous for Small and Marginal Fruit Growers of J&K (UT)/ Himachal Pradesh, therefore, should be banned OR allowed to minimum possible limit from the Month of June to August only (Three months) so that the Marginal Fruit Growers of the Valley and Himachal Pradesh may not face losses in this Account.
4. Introduction of Crop Insurance Scheme for Apple Crop and Fruit Plants.
5. Introduction of Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for “Grade C” Apple and fallen/Ghiran apple.
6. Exemption of GST on Insecticides, Pesticides, and fertilizers and waste paper packing material.
7. Grant of Subsidy on Cardboard boxes on the pattern of Himachal Pradesh.
8. Slashing down the import duty on “American variety of apple” to the minimum possible limit by the Bangladesh Authorities so that marginal and small Fruit Growers are saved from losses on this account.
The meeting concluded in a very cordial manner and the Chairman of KVFG Union conveyed thanks to the Members for their participation in the Meeting.
