Kulgam, July 21: Jammu and Kashmir Apple farmers federation organised one day convention with the slogan “Apple is our livelihood” at Rest house Chawalgam area of South Kashmiri’s Kulgam district on Sunday.
The convention were presided over by (CPI-M) leader M.Y. Tarigami, DDC Cairperson, Mohd Afzal Parray, sh. Rakesh (Convenors AFFI), Sh. P. Krishnaprasad finance secretary AIKS and among others.
The convention discussed several issues confronting the apple economy. These issues included dwindling prices, lack of admin support leading to increased input costs, stagnation in productivity, the necessity for adequate and subsidized cold chain infrastructure, and the impact of extreme climatic disturbances like hailstorms.
While addressing the convention, CPI(M) leader Mohd Yousuf Tarigami expressed serious concern over the plight of apple farmers in the region, adding apple growers have been neglected by the government despite the major chunk of the population being dependent on this sector. They are in distress as the crop was sold at cheap rates.
Tarigami said that the apple farmers had to put up a united show to save the apple industry. AFFI was formed with the absolute support of AIKS to provide farmers a platform to fight for the genuine demands.
