Early Times Report
Srinagar, Oct 10: The closure of Jawahar Tunnel during night hours has caused extensive damage to the apple crop of Kashmir. The delay caused by the closure of the tunnel affects the quality of the apples adversely.
The farmers expected high rates this year but the strikes and curfews have delayed transportation of the crop to mandis.
The growers said that, the J&K contributes almost 50% of horticulture production while as there are 30% of people who are engaged in the activity. The money so earned adds to the economic growth of the state.
Increased freight has added to the problem. Former president of Sopore fruit Mandi, Fayaz Ahmad told Early Times that, Rs 110-120 is being charged to Delhi which was only Rs 60 in the past, Rs. 180 is fare to Calcutta which was only Rs 110 in the previous year and Rupees 160 is present fare to Patna which was only Rs 60.
The state government is not taking any pains as horticulture growers are facing daily hardships on routine basis, luckily apple production was very high this year but there is zero percent favour from the government, said Fayaz Ahmad.
He said that, " earlier the apple fruit was produced from 2-3 districts of Kashmir valley but the trend has been changed now as agricultural land is being diverted or rather changed into horticulture, at present there is a high production of apple crop from various places like Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Budgam, Shopian, Ananthnag and Pulwama districts.
Meanwhile, an average fruit grower has lost minimum of Rupees 10-20 lakhs during this season as the prevailing situation in Kashmir has not allowed him to sell his crop in other parts of India.
In the past hundreds of truck were carrying the fruits easily to the outside of the valley but the irony is that, these days the fruit mandi of Sopore remains open for 2-4 hours in a week and the truckers finds it difficult to cross the tunnel during night hours which remains open from 8 am to 7 pm only, president informed. |
