Srinagar : Chairman Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Front (JKPDF) and former Minster Hakeem Muhammad Yaseen on Monday expressed serious concern over the deteriorating condition of fruit industry in Jammu and Kashmir due to worst ever slump in the market . He has demanded a comprehensive rehabilitation for the affected fruit growers and traders at the earliest.
In a statement issued from the party headquarters Yaseen while expressing his concern over the prevailing lowest ever rates of apples in the market , urged the government to come to the rescue of the affected farmers . He has demanded a comprehensive rehabilitation package for the fruit growers and traders besides providing market support price for the apple produce. He said fruit industry provides livelihood to about 25 lakh people directly and indirectly associated with it adding that the horticulture sector was the major source of sustenance for the people of Kashmir in testing times .
“This is only industry in Kashmir which has helped Kashmiris to maintain their living indices and economic reliance, Hakeem maintained while urging the government to work on a pragmatic horticulture market strategy and an export- import policy to overcome the factors responsible for prevailing distressed condition of fruit industry due to low rates for the apple . He said despite bumper crop this year, fruit growers were virtually in the state of extreme distress due to slump in market . Hakeem further said that If the problems confronting fruit industry are not addressed immediately, it will virtually stop economic cycle in the valley thereby creating multiple social issues and suicides”.
