Apple Growers Plan Delhi Protest Over US Apple Duty Concession: Tarigami
Apple Growers to Protest in Delhi Over US Apple Duty Concession
Srinagar, Feb 27: Apple farmers from Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand have announced plans to stage a protest in Delhi next month against India’s proposed duty concession on US apples, citing threats to domestic livelihoods.
Under the interim Indo-US trade agreement, apples from the US will enter the Indian market duty free under a quota based system. Farmers fear this will flood the market and significantly impact local growers.
“We have formed the Apple Farmers Federation of India (AFFI) comprising growers from Kashmir, Himachal, and Uttarakhand. We will protest in Delhi in March against this trade deal,” said Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, MLA from Kulgam and trade union leader.
AFFI has reached out to the Samyukta Kisan Morcha for support, with the farmers’ group promising solidarity and participation in the demonstration.
Tarigami criticised the trade pact, calling it “practically a surrender” to the US, and highlighted broader restrictions on India’s trade decisions, including limits on oil imports from Russia.
He also emphasised the importance of the apple industry to the Kashmir economy, stating that it remains the region’s primary economic lifeline amid the decline of handicrafts and limited industrial activity.
