In a meeting with a delegation led by Bashir Ahmad Basheer, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah discussed the pressing challenges faced by Kashmir’s fruit growers.
The delegation presented a memorandum outlining key demands, urging the government to intervene in support of horticulturists and traders.
Among their requests was the introduction of a crop insurance scheme specifically for horticulture, along with the revival of the market intervention scheme to facilitate the purchase of lower-grade apples.
They also pressed for the establishment of a horticulture estate modeled after industrial estates.
The growers emphasized the need for subsidies and a simplified approval process for setting up cold storage units, juice plants, and canning factories.
Additionally, they called for a reduction in GST on crucial supplies such as cardboard boxes, plastic trays, pesticides, and fertilizers, while also advocating for price regulation of agricultural inputs.
Setting up testing laboratories in each district and making high-density plant material accessible for orchard rejuvenation were also among their concerns.
Other demands included budgetary provisions for natural calamity relief, implementation of an existing relief scheme for loan defaulters, and the exemption of Kisan Credit Card loans for small-scale fruit growers.
They further sought government support in expanding kiwi, grape, and pomegranate cultivation, improving irrigation facilities, and ensuring railway connectivity for efficient cherry transportation to Mumbai.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah assured the delegation that their demands would be seriously considered in the upcoming budget.
Bashir Ahmad Basheer expressed gratitude for the assurance and urged prompt action to address these concerns.
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