Srinagar, Feb 07: In the backdrop of the interim agreement under the US–India trade deal, wherein fresh fruits imported from the United States are expected to face reduced tariffs, Kashmir’s apple growers have sent an SOS to Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi, warning that cheaper imports could seriously undermine the domestic horticulture sector.
In a detailed letter addressed to the Prime Minister at South Block, New Delhi, Chairman of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union, Bashir Ahmad Basheer, urged the Centre to impose an import duty of “over and above 100 per cent” on apples imported from the United States and European countries.
Quoting the letter verbatim, Basheer wrote:
“With great respects and humble submission your goodself are informed that the Apple Growers of the Valley had been seeking hike over and above 100% in American/European Apple import duty enabling the Fruit Growers of Valley, Himachal and Uttarakhand to compete in Indian Markets.”
Referring to the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) framework, the letter states:
“Though under Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between two Countries i.e. New Zealand and this Country reduced the import duty from 50% to 25% does not prove any fruitful results.”
Highlighting the economic importance of horticulture, the Chairman wrote:
“In fact the livelihood, children education, medical facilities and other domestic necessities of a Grower wholly and solely depend upon on Apple Industry and more than 7 Lakh families are directly or indirectly dependent on Horticulture Industry which Industry is treated as ‘Backbone’ and main contributor of JK UT’s Economy.”
Emphasising Kashmir’s traditional role in fruit production, the letter further reads:
“Proudly Kashmir Valley has been rightly described as ‘Land of Fruits’ as well as ‘Fruit Bowel’ of Northern India. The reduction of import duty from 50% to 25% under FTA does not, therefore, meet the essentials requirements of Fruit Growers.”
Flagging recurring challenges faced by growers, the letter notes:
“In fact every year new challenges emerge for Apple Industry of Valley, Himachal and Uttarakhand. Sometimes Apples are imported from Iran and sometimes from United States and other Countries as well. These steps constantly could pressure on our local Apple Industry.”
The impact on small and marginal growers was also underlined:
“The cumulative impact of such imports have been damaging local Apple Growers, particularly small and marginal Growers who are already struggling with input costs, erratic weather, pest attacks and transport issues.”
Warning against cheaper imports, Basheer wrote:
“It is reiterated that the reduction in custom duty on American/European Apple will make imported Apples cheaper and a trader naturally prefer them over Kashmiri Apple. This directly affects the pricing of Apples of Kashmir, Himachal and Uttarakhand.”
Concluding with a strong caution, the letter states:
“Under the circumstances explained above your goodself are requested kindly consider imposition of import duty on American/European Apple to the extent of over and above 100% failing which the horticulture Industry of JK (T) will turn the shape of ‘Sick Industry’.”
