Kashmir apple growers are confronting significant financial challenges as demand for their produce has sharply declined across India, leading to a more than 50% drop in prices from the previous year. The import of apples, particularly from countries like South Africa and Iran, has intensified competition, severely impacting the local industry, as reported by growers' associations.
Apple farmers, who store their produce in controlled atmosphere (CA) stores, are receiving less than half the revenue compared to last year, despite incurring high storage costs. The situation has forced them to adopt a wait-and-watch strategy. Bashir Ahmad Basheer, Chairman of the All Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers-cum-Dealers Union, highlighted the adverse effects of imported apples on the local industry. "This time, the influx of foreign apples has hit our industry badly. We have been appealing to the government to impose taxes on foreign apple imports to safeguard the local apple industry," Basheer stated.
The significant price reduction has caused distress among growers, with A-grade apple boxes experiencing a 40% price drop and B-grade apples seeing a 60% decrease. The resultant low returns from CA stored stock are not covering the costs incurred by farmers, from pesticide use to packaging.
Greaterkashmir.com reports that, given the apple industry's vital role in Kashmir's economy and employment, growers' associations are calling for government intervention. They have requested measures such as import duties on foreign apples and financial assistance to mitigate losses and support the local industry's sustainability. The presence of imported apples in supermarkets and online platforms has further decreased demand for Kashmiri apples, exacerbating the industry's challenges.
Experts point to the need for strategic interventions to assist apple growers during this difficult period, attributing the market downturn to the influx of imported apples among other factors.
Climate change impacts on Uttarakhand's horticulture sector
In Uttarakhand, often dubbed India's fruit basket due to its diverse climatic conditions favorable for temperate and subtropical fruits, there has been a significant reduction in the yield and cultivation area of major fruit crops over the last seven years. The decline has been particularly notable since 2020, with temperate fruits such as apples experiencing a more pronounced impact. The area under apple cultivation decreased from 25,201.58 hectares in 2016-17 to 11,327.33 hectares in 2022-23, alongside a 30% yield reduction. Lemon varieties also saw a 58% reduction in yield. Conversely, tropical fruits like mango and litchi, despite nearly half the reduction in cultivation area, witnessed relatively stable production levels with slight declines of 20% and 24%, respectively. Guava production area increased by 36.64%, with gooseberry and guava yields rising by 63.77% and 94.89%, respectively, indicating a shift in horticultural dynamics within the state.
Source: indiatoday.in
