Srinagar, Dec 10: Two of Kashmir’s major fruit producing and trading associations driving the Rs 13,000 crore annual fruit industry – Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union and the New Kashmir Fruit Association – have issued an appeal to Atal Dulloo (IAS) Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary) Agriculture Production Department to help their hardships in view of the financial losses they have endured in 2022 fruit season.
Ziraat Times here reproduces the full and unedited text of the letter addressed to Mr Dulloo.
Mr. Atal Dulloo, IAS
Financial Commissioner,
(Additional Chief Secretary)
Agriculture Production Department
Civil Secretariat Srinagar
Sub: Request for Intervention in easing the hardships faced by Fruit Growers of the Valley.
Respected Sir,
Your goodself are aware that there has been crisis during the present Fruit Season in the Valley as the Market rates for apples turned out to be very low which resulted in huge losses for the growers community, having a significant effect on the Economy of Kashmir as a whole as it is heavily reliant on the apple industry. This will undoubtedly result in grave consequences and, therefore, requires highlighting because the Apple Industry is one of the mainstays of the Valley and bounds with it lakhs of people in one or another way. This is an Industry which takes the blood of the people involved and all of this cannot be abandoned with a bad season. Loss or profit, the Growers and everybody involved cannot withdraw from this Industry with so much at stake. Now, with another season at its onset, this Industry can’t afford further losses. Next fruit season starts with the spraying of oils during the dormant period which helps against diseases such as San Jose scale and Red Mite. Upon early enquiries with the Distributors of Public Sector Undertaking Companies, the rates for these spray oils are higher side by Rs. 25-30 per Litre, than last year. This is unsustainable for the Industry. This price increase is there despite the fact that Crude Oil Prices are lower as compared to last year. The price of Crude Oil hit a 15 month low as per recent reports, and yet these companies are increasing their prices.
In direct comparison, the only other State where Spray oils are used, i.e. Himachal Pradesh, the same companies under the same environment are providing Rs 20-30 cheaper rates per litre. The sole reason being the active involvement of the Concerned Government Authorities in maintaining the pressure on these Public Sector Undertaking Companies. We had requested to Government involvement last year also and are again requesting your goodself to pressurize these companies especially the Public Sector Undertaking Companies as they are also government undertakings to slash down their rates and at least match them with those of Himachal Pradesh so that Valley based Fruit Growers/ Dealers may not face further any losses on this account.
The matter may kindly be looked into personally and necessary guidelines as requested for may kindly be conveyed to all concerned on urgent basis including Public Sector undertaking Companies as well for slashing down the rates at par with Himachal Pradesh.
(Bashir Ahmad Basheer)
Chairman
Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union
President
The New Kashmir Fruit Association
