Latest news with #HimalayanAppleGrowersSociety
Indian Express
17-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Himachal farmers demand ban on apple imports from Turkey, meet Minister Piyush Goyal
Apple growers from Himachal Pradesh have demanded an immediate and complete ban on the import of apples from Turkey, after the Muslim country reportedly provided military assistance to Pakistan in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor and the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. Traders at Azadpur Mandi in Delhi, Bengaluru, and Pune also expressed their solidarity towards the demand for a ban on Turkish apples' import. A delegation of apple growers, under the banner of the Himalayan Apple Growers Society (HAGS), met Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal in New Delhi on Saturday to press for the ban and submitted a memorandum expressing grave concern over the rapidly increasing import of subsidised apples from Turkey, which they said is crippling the domestic horticulture economy. 'These cheap imports are undercutting Indian growers and pushing orchardists into deep financial losses. Many are struggling to even recover the cost of production,' Rajesh Dhanta, HAGS general secretary, said. The delegation underscored that continuing trade with Turkey — a known ally of Pakistan — was not only crippling India's economicy but also a matter of national security. 'It is unacceptable for India to import produce from a country that supports a regime responsible for cross-border terrorism,' the memorandum read. The growers emphasised that apples are not just a commercial crop but the economic backbone of hill states like Himachal Pradesh, sustaining the livelihoods of millions of farmers. The delegation put forth three major demands, including a total ban on apple imports from Turkey; an increase in the Minimum Import Price (MIP) for apples from all countries, and strict enforcement of quality and phytosanitary standards to prevent the entry of diseases and pests through imported apples. Union Minister Goyal assured the delegation that their concerns would be taken seriously and that appropriate action would follow. Echoing the growers' demand, Himachal Pradesh PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh and AICC spokesperson Kuldeep Singh Rathore have also called for a complete halt to Turkish apple imports. 'We will continue to raise this issue until the government takes decisive action,' said Rajesh Dhanta, general secretary and media head of HAGS.
Hindustan Times
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Snap all trade with Turkey: Jai Ram
Amid repeated calls for ban on imports of Turkish apples, leader of Opposition in Himachal assembly Jai Ram Thakur on Friday called for snapping all trade ties with Turkey. Addressing a press conference in Mandi, the senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said, 'India should cancel all trade agreements with Turkey, a country that stood with Pakistan in Operation Sindoor.' 'The way Pakistani citizens were asked to leave India, a similar action should be taken against Turkey. In this incident, their drones were being used against India. The import of the Turkish apples to India should be completely stopped,' the former Himachal chief minister said. 'If the import of apples is banned and Indian tourists are not allowed to go there, it will be the biggest diplomatic strike. Famous film producers and directors should also avoid going there for film shooting,' he said. A delegation of apple growers under the banner of Himalayan Apple Growers Society recently met Union minister of commerce and industry Piyush Goyal, seeking immediate ban on imports. Goyal assured the delegation that their concerns were being taken seriously and promised appropriate action. India imports around 80 lakh apple boxes annually from Turkey. The people of Kullu and Manali have opposed a Turkish company that is conducting the Bilaspur-Manali rail line survey.
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Himachal Pradesh growers urge ban on Turkiye apple imports
Shimla: A delegation of apple growers, under the banner of the Himalayan Apple Growers Society , met Union minister of commerce and industry Piyush Goyal on Friday and sought a complete ban on apple imports from Turkiye. The delegation expressed deep concern over the rapidly increasing imports and urged for an immediate ban, citing significant losses to domestic farmers due to cheap and subsidised imports. The delegation members highlighted that Turkiye supports Pakistan with military aid, which was concerning from a national security perspective. The BJP leader and apple grower Chetan Singh Bragta, who was part of the delegation, stated that stopping apple imports from Turkiye was not just a trade decision but a matter of national pride and protection of growers, sending a strong message to the countries supporting terrorism. "We cannot remain silent on this issue," he said. The delegation presented five key demands, including an immediate ban on Turkish apple imports, raising the minimum import price for apples from other countries, and enforcing strict quality and phytosanitary standards on imported apples. Goyal assured appropriate action on the demands. The issue is tied not only to economics but also to the dignity of farmers, the self-reliance of hill states, and national pride, mentioned the delegation. MSID:: 121215004 413 |
India Gazette
14-05-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Himachal Pradesh farmers demand ban on Turkish apple imports, seek 100pc duty on foreign apples
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], May 14 (ANI): Following Turkey's open support for Pakistan amid recent tensions between India and its neighbour, farmer organisations across Himachal Pradesh have called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to impose a complete ban on the import of apples from Turkey and enforce strict import duties and quality standards on apples coming from other countries. This move also comes in response to the sharp increase in subsidized, cheap foreign apples flooding Indian markets, which local farmer bodies say is crippling the domestic apple economy, especially in Himalayan states like Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand. In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Modi, the Himalayan Apple Growers Society, the Himachal Pradesh Sanyukt Kisan Manch and other farmer groups highlighted how the country's 'Vocal for Local' and 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' missions are being undermined by uncontrolled imports. 'Under your leadership, 'Vocal for Local' and 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' have instilled a new sense of self-reliance. However, the continued and increasing import of apples, particularly from Turkey, is pushing our mountain farmers into a deep economic crisis,' the letter reads. The letter noted that over 13 lakh families depend on apple cultivation for their livelihoods across the three Himalayan states, 4 lakh in Himachal, 8 lakh in Jammu and Kashmir, and 1 lakh in Uttarakhand. The practice is not only an economic lifeline but also intertwined with the socio-cultural identity and traditional rural economy of the region. According to the farmer organisations, Turkey's apple exports to India have exploded over the past decade. They say it was 205 tons in 2015-16, in 2023-24 it increased to over 1,20,000 tons. The value of apple imports from Turkey has experienced significant growth. According to the data shared in the letter, apple imports were valued at Rs 563 crore in 2021-22. This increased to Rs 739 crore in 2022-23 and rose further to Rs 821 crore in the latest figures for 2023-24. 'This aggressive increase has created an oversupply of cheap and subsidised apples in the Indian market, pushing out locally grown apples and severely impacting domestic growers' incomes and market share,' the letter stated. The farmers' organisation have collectively placed the demand of immediate and complete ban on apple imports from Turkey, Enforcement of a Minimum Import Price (MIP) on apples from all countries, Strict phytosanitary and quality standards for imported apples, A special horticulture protection policy for Himalayan states, including price stabilization, storage, and marketing support and Direct income support or Minimum Support Price (MSP) for apple growers. 'This is not just an economic issue but one of dignity, self-reliance, and rural identity,' the letter emphasises. 'Without timely government intervention, traditional apple-growing regions face a bleak future.' Speaking to ANI, Sanjay Chauhan, Co-convener of the Himachal Pradesh Sanyukt Kisan Manch (Joint Fourm of Farmer organisations) and President of the states Seb Avm Fal Utpadak Sangh, voiced strong concerns about India becoming a dumping ground for foreign agricultural products. 'Agricultural produce from multiple countries is being dumped in India, especially apples from Turkey, US, Iran, Iraq, and others. This is creating a severe crisis in our domestic horticulture, especially in Himachal, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir,' he said. Chauhan added that 123,000 metric tons of apples were imported from Turkey last year, exceeding Himachal Pradesh's annual production. The US exported 2,30,000 metric tons to India. Iran, exploiting SAFTA provisions, is also flooding Indian markets with cheap apples routed through third countries. 'Why can't import duties on apples be raised to 100 per cent, just like they are for tea and coffee? If done, the minimum cost per kg would rise to Rs 100, discouraging illegal and cheap imports,' Chauhan argued. Himachal Pradesh has 11 lakh hectares under cultivation, with 2 lakh hectares under fruit crops, half of which are dedicated to apples. The state produces about 5.5 lakh metric tons of apples annually, generating Rs 5500-6000 crore in revenue. With rising input costs for packaging, transport, and orchard maintenance, the lack of a support system has left growers vulnerable. Farmer organisations also criticised the withdrawal of the Market Intervention Scheme, which earlier allowed states to procure apples at a base price. Chauhan also questioned why India cannot raise import duties on apples to protect the apple growers of the country when Japan can levy 300-1000 per cent duties on rice. 'If Japan can impose a 300 to 1000 per cent import duty on rice to protect its farmers, why can't India raise duties on apples?' Chauhan asked. 'Our government imposes 105 per cent import duty on tea and coffee. But apple growers get no such protection, despite millions depending on it for their livelihood,' he questioned. Citing the recent visit of US Vice President JD Vence and the expected trade agreements with the US, farmer groups have demanded transparency in negotiations, especially if duties on Washington apples are being reduced. They warned that government subsidies abroad, combined with reduced import duties in India, are killing the domestic apple market. Sanjay Chauhan stated that if the government does not act, the farmers' movement will intensify. 'If the government cannot ban imports, it must impose at least 100 per cent import duty. We will approach the Governor to forward our memorandum to the Prime Minister, launch a poster campaign, and intensify our protest. This is about our livelihood, our dignity, and our future,' Chauhan added unions have vowed to continue their agitation until concrete action is taken to protect India's apple-growing regions from economic collapse. (ANI)
