Apple farming in Kashmir in crisis

Apple farming - one of the major sources of revenue in the strife-torn Jammu and Kashmir - is in a grave crisis these days.

Apple growers in the state their trade is suffering because the Jammu and Kashmir government has not cared to grant industry status to the fruit cultivation and marketing.

In mainstream Kashmir alone, nearly six lakh families are estimated to be directly involved with the Rs 1,200 crore business.

Ghulam Rasool Bhat, president of All Jammu and Kashmir Fruits and Vegetable Growers' Association says growing apples is a huge business but "our business won't survive in the coming decade unless something is not done to revive it."

"We will soon be deprived of our livelihood

if the government fails to take concrete steps to revive the business in the state," Bhat told reporters.

The Association's first demand is that the apple trade should be given the status of an industry so that the traders are entitled to related benefits.

Bhat attributed 'scab' infection, adulterated fungicide and absence of cold storage facility for preservation of fruits, besides government apathy as other reasons for the dip in business.

The Association said 400,000 tonnes of apple are ruined by the scab every year. Other diseases like alternaria, red-might and powdery mildew also spoil the crop.

Apple growers also say that widespread use of spurious fungicides are also damaging their orchards.