Srinagar, Nov 18:
Kashmir’s horticulture sector, the backbone of the Valley’s rural economy, has sounded an alarm after suffering unprecedented losses estimated at nearly ₹2,000 crore during the natural disaster of August 2025. In an emergent meeting held at Fruit Mandi, Apple Town Sopore, the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union (KVFGDU) appealed for an immediate and comprehensive relief package from the Government of India and the J&K administration.
The meeting, chaired by Union Chairman Bashir Ahmad Basheer, brought together presidents and general secretaries of fruit growers’ associations from across the Valley. Members unanimously described the crisis as “the worst economic shock in decades”, triggered by the devastating floods and the prolonged closure of the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway — the Valley’s lifeline for fruit transportation.
Basheer said the disaster struck at the peak of apple harvesting, leaving thousands of trucks stranded for more than 20 days. Ripened fruit rotted inside vehicles and mandies, while continuous weather disruptions caused a market crash. “Prices plummeted to levels never imagined. Farmers who worked all year were forced to sell their produce at throwaway rates,” he said.
The Union expressed deep disappointment that neither the Centre nor the J&K administration had so far announced compensation, despite the scale of destruction and the collapse of Kashmir’s famed apple economy.
Key Demands Raised by Kashmir Fruit Growers
The Union called upon the Hon’ble Governor and Hon’ble Chief Minister to urgently intervene and consider the following measures:
- Announcement of a comprehensive ₹2,000 crore compensation package for losses suffered due to the August calamity.
- Implementation of a Crop Insurance Scheme for the horticulture sector, similar to agriculture, to safeguard growers during national disasters.
- Revival of the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) to stabilise prices and prevent distress sales.
- Declaration of Mughal Road as a National Highway and construction of alternative transport routes to ensure uninterrupted fruit movement.
- Waiver of KCC loans for the worst-hit fruit growers.
- Interest exemption on farmer loans raised from J&K Bank.
- Abolition of municipal chungi on fruit transportation within the Valley.
- Establishment of 200–300 new CA/Cold Stores, especially in North and Central Kashmir, to prevent future losses.
- Uniform Bardanna (box) size fixed at 21 × 14 × 7.5 inches for standardised packaging, with government advisories for enforcement.
- Availability of high-quality pesticides and fertilizers with proper MRP to end exploitation of growers.
- Strict monitoring against use of harmful PGR and colouring chemicals, with penalties for violators.
- Upgradation of Fruit Mandis with full infrastructure and allotment of space through lease deeds to growers.
- Freedom for orchardists to use cardboard boxes of their choice, as resolved with PICCA during a joint meeting.
- Mandatory quarantine for High Density root plants, which growers say is currently ignored, leading to disease and financial losses.
The Union emphasized that the horticulture sector supports lakhs of families and contributes significantly to the UT’s economy. Without timely intervention, they warned, many orchardists may fall into irreversible debt.
As Kashmir continues to battle post-disaster recovery, the fruit industry now awaits a concrete response from the administration — insisting that the survival of the Valley’s iconic apple economy hangs in the balance.
