Jammu Kashmir Peoples Conference Sr. Vice President and former minister Abdul Gani Vakil today urged the government to bring the apple fruit under Minimum Support Price (MSP) for the larger benefit of the growers who often suffer losses.
Vakil stressed that it is time to add apple fruit to the list of MSPs and the central government must take concrete steps in this regard.
“Farmers have been running into losses. There is always uncertainty in the market and imported apple has further damaged the apple industry of Kashmir. The government must consider MSP for apple crop,” Vakil said, adding, it is the only sustainable solution to save this industry.
Vakil was addressing Party workers in different Villages of Rafiabad and Zainger.
He said it is unfortunate that the government has neglected the very important Fruit industry which is providing livelihood to thousands of people who are associated with the said industry.
He reiterated his demand that the KCC loan is waived off as fruit growers are incurring heavy losses and this will be a major relief to fruit growers.
He also urged the government of India to take up the issue of an increase in taxes with the government of Bangladesh so that fruit growers will not suffer more. During his visit to Rafiabad Vakil was accompanied by Senior party leaders Block Development chairman Ghulam Mohammed Mir, Block president Tariq Ahmed Mir and Youth leader Secretary province Owais Ahmed Khan.