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Kashmir Fruit Growers’ Union announces key new decisions; elects Fayaz Malik as spokesperson

30 April 2024

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Srinagar: The Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union (KVFG CDU) convened a meeting on Tuesday to discuss pressing issues faced by fruit growers in the valley.

In a statement issued to Ziraat Times, the union said that a meeting was held under the chairmanship of Bashir Ahmad Basheer, President New Kashmir Fruit Association Srinagar, and was attended by:

Fayaz Ahmad Malik, President Fruit Association, Sopore
Mir Mohammad Amin, President Fruit Association, Shopian
Mohammad Yousuf Dar, Fruit Association President, Baramulla
Javaid Ahmad Bhat, President Fruit Association Pulwama
Javaid Ahmad Lone, President Fruit Association Pachhar
Manzoor Ahmad Para, President Fruit Association Ganderbal
Ghulam Mohammad Banday, President Fruit Association, Kulgam
Ghulam Hassan Nengroo, President Fruit Association, Bijbihera
Abdul Rashid Mir, Secretary, Fruit Association, Jablipora

The participants discussed the recent hailstorm, stormy winds and continued rainfall creating a flood-like situation with apprehension of heavy losses to fruit orchards and fruit crop. It was unanimously resolved that the Lt. Governor’s Administration J&K (UT) and may kindly depute team of experts of SKAUST and Horticulture Departments to fruit orchards in all districts of the Valley to ascertain losses and remedial measures needed to be taken so that the rest of crop could be saved from diseases.

During the meeting an engagwment with the JKPICCA was agreed upon to discuss and amicably resolve some of the recently highlighted pressing issues. The members also expressed concern over alleged “high-handedness and exorbitant rates charged by certain local cold storage and controlled atmosphere facilities.”

Other key decisions taken during the meeting include:

The KVFG CDU will meet pesticide dealers to address concerns about the supply of spurious pesticides and inflated maximum retail prices (MRPs).

A YouTube channel will be launched to raise awareness about challenges faced by valley-based fruit growers and dealers.

Fayaz Ahmad Malik, President of the Fruit Association Sopore, was unanimously elected as the Chief Spokesperson for the KVFG CDU.

Crop Insurance and Damage Assessment:

The union called for the immediate implementation of the Crop Insurance Scheme by the Lt. Governor’s Administration to protect growers from losses due to natural disasters.

Recent heavy rain, hailstorms, and strong winds caused significant damage to fruit orchards. The KVFG CDU urged the Lt. Governor’s Administration to deploy teams of experts from the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology (SKUAST) and the Horticulture Departments to assess the damage and recommend remedial measures.

Elections and Representation:

The meeting discussed holding elections for the KVFG Union. Fruit Associations were urged to submit membership lists to finalize the electoral roll and facilitate elections at the earliest.

The meeting acknowledged the absence of presidents from the Fruit Associations of Charari Sharief, Handwara, and Anantnag due to unforeseen circumstances.