Impose 50% duty on US apples to save Jammu and Kashmir horticulture: PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti

PDP Chief Mufti said American farmers receive substantial subsidies from their government, placing Kashmiri orchardists at a disadvantage. 

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Friday warned that the proposed Indo-US trade deal would have serious repercussions for the horticulture sector of Jammu and Kashmir and the wider Indian agricultural economy.

Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, PDP Chief Mufti said the horticulture sector is the backbone of Jammu and Kashmir’s economy and sustains lakhs of families. “If this trade deal goes through in its present form, it will economically weaken us and unemployment will rise,” she said.

Mufti claimed that the influx of imported apples has already created distress in local markets. She referred to apples from Iran entering the domestic market and alleged that local produce has struggled to compete due to price differences.

PDP Chief Mufti said American farmers receive substantial subsidies from their government, placing Kashmiri orchardists at a disadvantage. “Our apples cannot compete with heavily subsidized American apples. This trade deal will have serious consequences,” she asserted.

The PDP chief appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reconsider the proposed agreement, describing it as detrimental to the interests of farmers and those associated with the horticulture sector. She demanded that at least a 50 percent import duty be imposed on apples coming from outside the country to protect domestic growers.