Lack of cold storage leaves Kashmir fruit growers at mercy of highway closures: Hakeem

Says, “Neglect of cold storage facilities costing Kashmir farmers crores”
Srinagar : Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen, President Jammu & Kashmir People’s Democratic Front (J&K PDF) and former Minister, has raised significant concerns regarding the frequent closures of the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway, emphasizing its detrimental impact on Kashmir’s economy, particularly the horticulture sector.
The PDF President criticized successive governments for their failure to implement a long-term strategy to mitigate the ongoing crisis, despite the highway’s history of disruptions. Yaseen pointed out that inadequate infrastructure, such as insufficient cold storage and preservation facilities, has led to recurring losses for fruit growers and traders. He lamented that despite substantial investments in various schemes, only a limited number of cold storage units have been established, which do not meet the Valley’s needs. The horticulture sector, vital for the livelihoods of many families, has been neglected, resulting in significant financial losses whenever the highway is closed due to natural events like landslides and floods. He called for urgent government action, criticizing the political class for focusing on superficial slogans rather than addressing the pressing issues.
Yaseen stressed the need for the restoration of alternative routes and the establishment of buffer storage facilities as priorities for any government. He highlighted that the lack of a proper compensation mechanism for affected farmers and traders exacerbates their suffering, as neither the Union Government nor the UT administration has provided timely support. Yaseen underscored the importance of horticulture as Kashmir’s largest economic activity, urging policymakers to give it the attention it deserves. He expressed that the inability to transport produce to markets in a timely manner leads to despair among farmers, who invest significant effort into their crops. He urged the administration to adopt a farmer-centric approach and warned that without immediate action, the entire economy of Kashmir could face irreparable damage.