Cultivators Say Clampdown Has Hurt Business, Govt Says Just 'Matter Of Days'

Jammu and Kashmir have been reeling under restrictions and a shutdown across the state since 5 August, when the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA government decided to revoke Article 370 which accorded special status to the newly-formed Union Territory. Since the curbs were imposed, the fruit sellers in the Valley, who have been under complete communication blackout and have been unable to contact traders in other states, are facing one of the worst business seasons.

The government’s Market Intervention Scheme (MIS), which was launched earlier this month to buy the apples from the orchard owners and cultivators, has not drawn much response. So far, only 1,300 people have registered to sell their produce at the local mandis (markets). The fruit business is a whopping trade in Kashmir with nearly 7 lakh families depending on it. This year, officials said, that nearly 2 lakh metric tonnes of fruit have been transported outside Kashmir as opposed to 22 lakh metric tonnes which were exported last year. Due to restrictions, traders are fetching a lesser price for the produce. Under a new scheme, the government has announced that apple cultivators will be paid between Rs 40 to 54 per kg for different varieties. The authorities, however, said that hopefully, traders will respond to the intervention scheme in another month, which is the height of harvesting season for apples in the Valley.