Srinagar, Dec 26: Kashmir fruit growers and dealers, through their apex represemtative bodies – Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union and the New Kashmir Fruit Association, have appealed the Union Agriculture Minister to fix the rates of spray oil products in Jammu & Kashmir at par with Himachal Pradesh.
Expressing their concern for the rising input costs, especially the rates of the variety of spray oils, the fruit growers and dealers have raised multiple associated economic and taxation issues in their letter, which, they believe could bail out Kashmir’s struggling fruit Industry from the current production costs crisis.
Ziraat Times reproduces hete the full text of the letter written by the two apex bodies to the Union Minister without any editing:
Shri Narendar Singh Tomar Ji
Honb’le Minster of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
Honb’le Sir,
With great respects and humble submission the Management of this Union, “Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union Srinagar which is an Elected Apex Body of all Fruit Growers Associations of the Valley Viz Srinagar, Sopore, Baramulla, Handwara, Chrar-ie-Sharief, Shopian, Pulwama, Anantnag, Jablipora, Kulgam, Khoi, Pachahar, Zazan Ganderbal etc would like to inform your goodself that the entire Horticulture Industry of J&K (UT) has been consistent with usage of Spray oils in the growth process of these products. These Spray Oils have become a part and parcel of growth process, and Fruit Growers have grown a trust on these spray poi brands such as Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), Indian Oil Corporation Limited (OICL) and Bharat Petroleum Limited (BPL) Spray Oil and several other HMO products due to their longevity and sustained importance in this Industry. These companies are Public Sector Undertakings Government of India which has further solidified the trust in them from the Growers. The usage of such Spray Oils in turn has enabled us to almost complete eradicate fruit diseases especially “SAN JOSE SCALE” and “RED MITE” which were previously a measure concern for the Horticulture Industry of J&K (UT).
Pertinently, the Horticulture Industry of J&K (UT) is the biggest Industry in J&K (UT) and we are not, therefore, in a position to take any sort of risks which may potentially harm this Industry. If we stop the usage of spray oils, such diseases will inevitably return and no one will be able to take responsibility in that scenario.
In direct comparison, the only other State where spray oils are used, i.e. Himachal Pradesh, the same companies as mentioned above under the same environment are providing Rs. 20-30 cheaper per liter. In fact the sole reason being the active involvement of the concerned Government Authorities in maintaining the pressure on these Public Sector Undertaking Companies. We had repeatedly requested the Governors Administration to pressurize these companies to slash down their rates and at least at par with those of Himachal Pradesh so that Valley Based Fruit Growers/ Dealers may not face any Financial losses on this account.
So far as Insecticides, Pesticides, Fungicides and Fertilizers are concerned it is reported that the Manufacturers are enhancing the rates of these products which needs to be looked into well in advance. In this connection your goodself is requested kindly have a meeting with Manufacturers of these products well in advance of spray of these products for the purpose of making availability of quality type of Insecticides, Pesticides, Fungicides and Fertilizers with sufficient quantity in all Districts of the Valley against reasonable rates.
Under the Circumstances explained above your goodself is requested that:
The rates of TSO and other Petroleum products may kindly be fixed for J&K (UT) at par with Himachal Pradesh.
A meeting with Insecticides, Pesticides, Fungicides and Fertilizers of manufacturers be fixed well in advance of spray of these products for the purpose of making availability of quality type of Insecticides, Pesticides, Fungicides and Fertilizers with sufficient quantity in all Districts of the Valley against reasonable rates.
With great regards,
Yours Sincerely,
(Bashir Ahmad Basheer)
Chairman
Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union
President
The New Kashmir Fruit Association
