Kashmiri Farmers Struggle To Sell Bumper Fruit Harvest

Jammu and Kashmir’s horticulture industry is one of the few industries that has flourished despite the conflict in Kashmir over the past three decades. However, apple farmers, the backbone of the horticulture industry in the region, say that they are now facing tough challenges since August 5.

Anticipating public protests after revoking the 70-year-old Article 370 of the Indian Constitution that gave a measure of autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir, the central government imposed a security and communication clampdown across Kashmir on August 5.

Last week, the government said that it had restored landline telephones, but mobile phone network and internet continue to be blocked for the seventh consecutive week. Ever since the communication shutdown started in the valley in early August, and with no public transport, all businesses and education, and life in general have been disrupted. The government however says the situation is becoming normal slowly.

With no means to effectively communicate with traders and no means to transport their apple and pear harvests, horticultural farmers have been unable to sell their produce, resorting to selling them at a fraction of the usual price.

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