The Plight of Kashmiri Apple Farmers: Battling Government Policies and a Flood of Imports
Can Kashmir's iconic apple industry weather the storm of government policies and cheap imports? The picturesque valleys of Kashmir, renowned for their breathtaking beauty, are also home to a thriving apple industry that has been the backbone of the region's economy for generations. However, this once flourishing sector is now facing a crisis of epic proportions, triggered by a combination of government policies and a surge in cheap imports. The Indian government's decision to reduce excise duty on apples imported from Central Asia has opened the floodgates for a deluge of cheaper apples into the Indian market. These imports, priced significantly lower than their Kashmiri counterparts, have dealt a devastating blow to the local apple industry, pushing it to the brink of collapse. A Bitter Harvest: The Impact on Kashmiri Apple Farmers For Kashmiri apple farmers, the consequences have been nothing short of catastrophic. The price of their produce has plummeted, making it impos...