Kashmir fruit growers seek PM’s intervention on key issues confronting horticulture sector

The Biz Reporter
Srinagar, Mar 7: Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Kashmir on Thursday, the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union has sought the Prime Minister’s urgent intervention to address long-pending issues confronting the Kashmir’s vital fruit industry.
Bashir Ahmad Basheer, Chairman of the umbrella body representing all fruit growers associations in the Valley, has outlined a series of key demands while warmly welcoming PM Modi’s visit.
“A major demand is the introduction of a Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) to provide price support for “Grade C” apples and fallen/damaged fruit. The growers have also sought implementation of a comprehensive crop insurance scheme,” he said.
Highlighting the high production costs, Basheer said the 18% GST levied on insecticides, pesticides, fungicides, fertilizers and cardboard packaging materials is severely impacting the industry. He requested that GST rates on these essential inputs, including agricultural tools, tree spray oil and horticultural mineral oils, be reduced to the maximum possible extent.
Basheer said that the fruit growers have further demanded that tree spray oil be treated as an agricultural product to make it tax-free.
Basheer also pitched for the establishment of a dedicated horticulture estate on the lines of industrial estates in Jammu and Kashmir. He sought allocation of funds in the central and state budgets for setting up facilities like cold storages, canning factories, juice plants and other allied units to benefit local growers and traders.
Other key demands include provision of subsidies on insecticides, pesticides, fungicides, fertilizers, cardboard cartons, plastic trays/baskets and waste paper used for packaging. Ensuring availability of high-density planting material for rejuvenation of aging orchards was also highlighted.
With horticulture being the backbone of Kashmir’s economy, the fruit growers’ body has pinned high hopes on the Prime Minister’s visit to address these pressing issues and provide a much-needed boost to the sector.