Kashmir’s fruit industry facing a silent death

The industry will be defunct in coming years: Growers

5 Dariya News (Yawar Shafi)

Srinagar 22-Aug-2014

Stating that the fruit industry is the largest one in the state with more than 35 lac people associated with it, the fruit growers Friday said that the state government has turned blind-eye towards their plight with each passing day the industry is dying.The Fruit growers of Kashmir valley while expressing serious concern over what they termed ‘non-serious’ attitude of the state establishment, said that despite the harsh weather conditions, the growers are finding it difficult to survive with the load of loans crushing them.They said that they face four major hurdles while keeping the industry going. One is the sudden change in the climate from the last few years. Second is the low grade pesticides, third is the abrupt emergence of disease and the fourth and the important one is the unavailability of the markets.

The growers told KNS that the day is not far when the industry would be completely defunct with the state government in the deep slumber.Apple Growers Association Kashmir President Mohammad Yousuf said  that when the fruit growers of Maharashtra witnessed the huge losses due to climate changes, the GOI announced the package of 500 crore for their rehabilitation and here the government and the banks are creating more trouble that doing any good for the industry.The association said that they are completely unable to pay the installments to the banks as they earn no profit. “Banks install board outside our orchards that we are defaulters of the bank and have not paid our monthly installments. We appeal the government that there must be six monthly or the yearly installments for the fruit growers as this industry doesn’t function round the year.” The fruit growers appealed the government to look into the matter and take measures to save this industry at an earliest.   (KNS)