The Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Association (KVFGDU) expressed disappointment with the recent JK Budget, stating it did not address their longstanding demands. Association Chairman, Bashir Ahmad Basheer, noted that despite expectations, the budget offered nothing for fruit growers. "We had demanded several measures for the upliftment of the horticulture sector, but unfortunately, we have been completely ignored," he said.
Basheer highlighted that demands such as crop insurance, MIS schemes, and KCC loans were overlooked. The growers also sought testing laboratories in all districts, GST exemption on cardboard boxes and pesticides, and relief from rising fertilizer prices. "We demanded the waiver of Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loans, citing the financial distress caused by natural calamities and economic disruptions over the years, but that too was ignored," Basheer stated.
Further demands included funds for irrigation facilities, promotion of high-density plantations, and smooth transportation of perishable fruits like cherries to major markets. Despite assurances from the Chief Minister during their meeting, fruit growers feel let down by the budget. "The horticulture sector is the backbone of Kashmir's economy, yet our genuine concerns continue to be overlooked," Basheer added.
In February, a delegation of fruit growers met Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Jammu, presenting demands like the implementation of the crop insurance scheme and reintroduction of the market intervention scheme (MIS), which had previously mitigated losses for growers.
Source: FreePress Kashmir
