Budgam September 10(KNS): District Conference of Apple growers under the banner of Apple Farmers Federation of Kashmir was held on Sunday at Charari Sharief Budgam  with  focus on the theme "Save Apple, Save Kashmir. The conference was presided over by kisan leader Gh Qadir Hafroo. 

The conference discussed various issues confronting apple growers in the area. It demanded MSP, hassle free movement of apple laden trucks on National Highway, expansion of high-density scheme, direct subsidy to growers  instead of private companies or individuals. The conference also demanded revival of Market intervention scheme (MIS),government regulated crop insurance scheme and regulation of freight charges.

While adressing the conferences, CPI(M) leader Mohmdd Yousuf Tarigami expressed serious concern over the plight of apple farmers in the region. He said apple growers are in distress as they faced huge losses during last years as their input cost increased and the crop was sold  at cheap rates. 

He said thag two-third of the crop like C grade is unworthy of the market. This fruit could easily be diverted to the jiuce industry for better use and reduce the loss to some extent but  state-owned juice plant run by the J&K  Horticulture Producing and Marketing Corporation (JKHPMC) in Doabgah Sopore is defunct since long.

At one point of time, it was exporting its high-quality concentrate to some of the major chains in foreign countries. After almost a decade now closure, the unit has been revived. 

He demanded revival of the unit and demanded setting up of more units in the valley.

Others who spoke on the occasion include President Kisan Tehreek Ghulam Mohamad Shah,Kisan leaders Ghulam Qadir Hafroo and  Manzoor Ahmad Malik.

Bashir Ahmad Baba President Friut Association Charari Sharief and Social activist advocate Abdul Rashid Hanjoora greeted the conference.(KNS).