SHIMLA, Himachal Pradesh [India], December 27 (ANI): Apple growers from Himachal Pradesh have voiced strong opposition to the Indo-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, claiming that the reduction of import duty on apples from 50 percent to 25 percent threatens the livelihoods of farmers across hill states, including Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu & Kashmir.
A delegation of the Himachal Pradesh United Farmers’ Organisation met with State Horticulture, Revenue, and Tribal Development Minister Jagat Singh Negi on Saturday, urging immediate intervention by the Centre to protect domestic apple producers.
Harish Chauhan, convener of the farmers’ delegation, told ANI, “The reduction of import duty from 50 percent to 25 percent under the Indo-New Zealand agreement will cause massive economic losses. If duties are further reduced to zero under future trade deals with Europe, the US, or other countries, it will be nothing short of a death warrant for apple producers of hill states.”
Chauhan warned that Himachal Pradesh’s apple-based economy, valued at nearly Rs 6,500 crore, and the combined Rs 26,000 crore economy of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Uttarakhand could collapse if cheaper imported apples flood the market. “We get only one crop a year. If foreign apples dominate the market, families will not survive. Farmer distress and suicides could begin in hill states, something never seen before,” he added.
The farmers are demanding that the import duty on apples be raised to 100 percent and that a Minimum Import Price (MIP) of Rs 100 per kg be enforced immediately. Chauhan alleged that officials are making decisions without adequately consulting farmers.
Responding to the concerns, Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi said the state government will support farmers and take the issue to the Centre. He noted that the recent reduction from 50 percent to 25 percent for New Zealand apples contradicts earlier assurances made during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s election campaign in Himachal Pradesh, when he had promised to raise import duties on apples to 100 percent.
Negi warned of broader implications, stating, “This will not stop here. Similar pressures may come from Europe, the United States, China, and other Asian countries if India lowers import duties to zero on agricultural imports. In that situation, India’s apple growers will be left with nothing.”
He criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party for failing to safeguard farmers’ interests, calling them “anti-horticulture and anti-farmer.” Negi added that the state government will make every possible effort to defend orchardists and escalate the matter to the Prime Minister if necessary.
The delegation proposed a meeting involving farmers, stakeholders, Members of Parliament from apple-growing regions, and the Chief Minister to discuss a resolution to the issue. (ANI)
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