Protecting Kashmiri Fruits And Nuts
The influx of less expensive imported walnuts from nations like China, Turkey, and the United States is jeopardizing the sale of Kashmiri walnuts within the country, which is undoubtedly going to harm the walnut traders in the region. This has created an immediate necessity for government involvement. The walnut traders are rightfully distressed about the current state of affairs. The central issue lies in the difference in price between Kashmiri walnuts and those originating from other countries. Regrettably, walnuts grown in Kashmir are more expensive to cultivate due to various factors such as the high expense of labor and inadequate irrigation facilities. This discrepancy in costs has allowed cheaper foreign walnuts to inundate the Indian market, presenting a substantial difficulty for the local producers.
Another obstacle facing the walnut trade in Kashmir is the absence of the organic certification for their walnuts. This hampers their ability to be exported, particularly to markets such as the European Union. This lack of certification further diminishes the global competitiveness of Kashmiri walnuts and hinders the industry's growth.
Nevertheless, the danger posed by imported goods extends beyond just walnuts. The esteemed apple industry of the Valley has also suffered greatly from foreign imports in recent times. In July, the significant reduction of import tariffs on Washington apples from 70 percent to 50 percent dealt a heavy blow to the apple industry within the region. This ruling is expected to greatly affect apple growers and traders in the area, who are already grappling with the difficulties experienced in recent years.
The apple trade is the foundation of Kashmir's economy, creating jobs for countless individuals. At present, approximately 500,000 families (equating to roughly 2.5 million individuals) in the region are engaged in horticulture. Apples dominate around 40% of the overall fruit cultivation area and contribute to 90% of the state's total fruit production.
The decrease in tariff on imported apples will pose a bigger challenge for apple growers in the area who produce locally. The Washington apples, which have exceptional quality, are frequently offered at a more affordable price compared to the locally grown ones. Consequently, consumers will face a dilemma in opting for local apples, resulting in a decreased desire for them.
Currently, the rising expenses of chemicals to control pests and the cost of transportation have significantly decreased the profits made from exporting goods. Additionally, if the industry experiences significant losses due to the influx of cheaply imported apples, it will not only impact apple farmers, but also the entire economy. The current situation is therefore concerning news for the region. This is an opportune moment for the government of the region to intervene and request the central government to guarantee fair competition for Kashmiri fruit and nuts, even if they are unable to increase tariffs on imported products.
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