Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 25: Fruit growers and stakeholders from across Ganderbal district today voiced concern over what they called the Central Government’s neglect of agriculture and allied sectors.
The Jannat-e-Kashmir Fruit Growers Association organized a convention at Town Hall Ganderbal, where they passed a resolution highlighting multiple challenges facing farmers, including the absence of assured Minimum Support Prices (MSP), withdrawal of subsidies on fertilisers and pesticides, and shrinking budgetary allocations. “The food industry and agriculture sector, on which 60-70% of the population depends, are in deep crisis. Farmers are being forced to sell their produce below cost as MSP is not being implemented. Suicides and protests by farmers across the country are a grim reminder of this crisis,” a participant said.
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Growers also flagged the deteriorating condition of Jammu and Kashmir’s fruit industry, particularly walnuts, cherries, and grapes, citing poor market returns and lack of Government support. They demanded the restoration of subsidies, fair market commissions, easier access to Kisan Credit Card loans, and the use of advanced technology to revive the sector.
The association announced the formation of a district-level growers’ committee to press for their demands and urged unity among farmers. “If the Government fails to act, we will have no option but to protest on the streets,” members warned.
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