Srinagar, July 12 (KNS): Senior PDP Leader Waheed Parra has demanded imposition of 100% import duty on foreign apples to safeguard Kashmir growers who are facing severe crises.

According to KNS correspondent, Parra on X wrote: Kashmir's apple orchards and the growers face a severe crisis. The government's last year decision to abolish the 20% duty on Washington apples and allow imports from the US, Iran, and South Africa has led to apple prices plummeting from Rs 1200 to Rs 600 per box, delivering a devastating blow to our growers."

He urged the central Government for the policy change to benefit the Kahsmir apple farmers "as combined with skyrocketing input costs, now forces Kashmiri farmers to sell their crops at unsustainable prices. "

"The influx of cheap foreign apples floods our markets, undermining local produce and endangering the livelihood of our farmers. This situation not only threatens our agricultural economy but also jeopardizes the centuries-old tradition of apple cultivation in Kashmir," he added.

"I implore the government to institute the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) and, crucially, to impose a 100% import duty on foreign apples immediately.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelThis decisive action is vital to preserve the livelihoods of our apple growers. Notably, while US farmers receive a 32% subsidy, domestic farmers in India are afforded a mere 2.5%, further exacerbating the inequity," he further said.

The government has a solemn duty to safeguard the farmers and their means of subsistence, he said. "By enforcing a 100% import duty on foreign apples, we can prevent further losses and protect our growers. This is not merely an economic imperative; it is a matter of survival for Kashmiri farmers and the preservation of our heritage," he added.

"Kashmir's apple industry is not just an economic backbone but a symbol of our resilience and identity. It is high time the government prioritizes the well-being of J&K's citizens over profit-driven policies and ensures the protection and prosperity of our local growers. The only solution to the problem is 100% Import Duty on Foreign Apples to protect the Kashmiri Growers", " he added. (KNS).