Farmer unions and apple growers from Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Uttarakhand plan a nationwide strike on July 9. This action is a response to reported discussions between India and the United States on including agricultural produce under a zero-tariff framework. Concerns heightened as the U.S. reportedly set a July 9 deadline for India to accept the proposal. Growers fear that duty-free imports of apples and other commodities could severely affect local producers.
In a meeting in Shimla, horticultural organisations from Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir expressed concerns that government negotiations might compromise local growers' interests. Former MLA and convener of Himachal Pradesh Sanyukt Kisan Manch, Rakesh Singha, stated that fruit producers from Himachal and the All India Kisan and Mazdoor organisations will join the nationwide protest on July 9.
Rakesh Singha told ANI, "The July 9 protest is being supported at the all-India level by farmers and workers' unions. In Himachal Pradesh, fruit growers' unions and the All India Farmers and Producers Federation will also join. Our main demands include protecting farmers from the ongoing efforts to dispossess them of their land, opposing the proposed abolition of import duties, and ensuring a petition is filed in the Himachal Pradesh High Court against land evictions." Singha also criticised the Central government for discontinuing the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) in Himachal Pradesh.
Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, MLA from the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly, echoed these sentiments. He stated, "Farmers from Himachal and Jammu & Kashmir are united in this struggle. Fruit growers are already facing challenges in the market. Now, there are reports that the U.S. is pushing for agricultural goods to be brought under zero-duty tariffs. We are demanding an increase in customs duties, not their abolition." He said the issue must be seen alongside inflation, declining wages, and the struggles of the working class.
Yousuf Tarigami added, "We want our Members of Parliament to raise these issues in the Parliament. From the Prime Minister to every elected representative, they are all answerable to the people. If people are suffering and the Cabinet or Prime Minister ignores these demands, it will be a betrayal of public trust." The Apple Federation of India calls for unity among apple growers and urges intervention from opposition parties and parliamentarians to safeguard hill agriculture interests.
Source: ANI