Kulgam:The J&K Apple Farmers Federation, district Kulgam, on Monday addressed a press conference highlighting the worsening crisis faced by the apple industry in the Valley.
Speaking to the media, UT President of the Federation, Zahoor Ahmad Rather, said that the National Highway has still not been restored for heavy vehicles, including apple-laden trucks, due to which the fruit industry has suffered massive losses. He added that all fruit mandis remain shut, further compounding the distress of growers.
The Federation appealed to the government and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to urgently ensure smooth passage for trucks and compensate farmers for the losses incurred. They also demanded a waiver of KCC loans for the affected growers.
“If the NHAI is not capable of restoring a one-kilometer road stretch in the last 16 days, then what is the purpose of NHAI? They should not even have the right to charge toll tax from apple-laden trucks,” Zahoor Ahmad remarked in frustration.
Looking ahead, the Federation emphasized the urgent need to establish cold storage facilities in every district. “In case such situations arise again in the future, growers must have the option to store their produce in cold stores to safeguard their livelihood,” the Federation stated.
