Legislators seek safeguards for apple industry amid trade deal fears

Jammu, Feb 17: Legislators cutting across party lines on Tuesday voiced concern in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly over the potential impact of proposed free trade agreements on the region’s apple industry, urging the government to intervene and safeguard the interests of growers.
Raising concerns in House, Peoples Conference president and MLA Sajad Gani Lone said the government cannot distance itself by calling it outside its domain. “This is the internet era. The government can assess the landed cost of American apples in markets like Dubai and anticipate the impact. They should communicate with the Government of India now instead of waiting for the agreement to be signed,” he said.
He urged the Chief Minister to personally take up the matter with New Delhi before any deal is finalised. “If there has to be an economic revival in J&K, it will come through horticulture,” he added.
MLA Sajad criticised the government’s past response to crises faced by fruit growers, recalling losses during highway disruptions.
He said the administration had downplayed the situation by claiming only a small percentage of fruit was ready for transport and that the National Highway was not under its control. “The growers suffered losses worth crores and no compensation was paid. Those losses can never be fully recovered,” he said.
Similarly, Congress MLA Irfan Hafiz Lone said the horticulture sector has already suffered significant losses in recent years and any deal that puts farmers’ future at risk would be unacceptable.
“Our apple industry has suffered a lot. If a deal with America puts our farmers at stake, nothing will be left for them. Such a deal will go against the interests of the people,” he said.
PDP MLA Waheed Ur Rehman Para, said apple cultivation has sustained Kashmir through its most difficult phases and any adverse trade arrangement could deepen the ongoing crisis.
“Apple has kept Kashmir alive in challenging circumstances. If the market is opened without safeguards, the crisis will intensify,” he said. Para maintained that while the J&K government may have limited powers over international trade, it must proactively engage with the Government of India and flag the repercussions for local growers.
He called for an all-party meeting to deliberate on the issue. “This concerns everyone, BJP, Congress and the government. A joint strategy must be evolved at the earliest,” he said, adding that the region’s economy cannot revive unless the apple industry is protected.
MLA Irshad Rasool Kar said the sector is set to face stiff competition from multiple countries and the government must step in with concrete relief measures.
“We are already competing with several nations. Subsidies on fertilisers and transportation support can help farmers remain competitive,” he said, adding that he has repeatedly raised these demands.
The lawmakers collectively stressed that timely intervention and a unified political approach are essential to shield the apple industry, which forms the backbone of Jammu and Kashmir’s rural economy. (KNO)