Rahul Gandhi calls for statehood to increase Kashmir’s apple exports

Srinagar: Assembly elections are going on in Jammu and Kashmir,  political leaders are focusing on horticulture in Kashmir to woo the voters just before the final phase of the election to be held on October 1. Polling will be held in the 17 constituencies in the Kashmir Valley and 23 in the Jammu division.

Some of the regions of Kashmir are heavily dependent on horticulture, including Sopore, Baramulla, Rafiabad, Gurez, Uri, and Gulmarg. . These areas are known as the “Apple Town of Kashmir” due to the heavy production of apples. A huge number of people are involved in the apple industry, and they have decided to vote for a party that has created a blueprint for the protection of apple business.

Abdul Hameed, a farmer from Sopore, said, “Illegal pesticides and fertilizers are derailing our business. We have been demanding help for the last decade. Our livelihood depends on apple production, and if the government fails to take any action, then the horticulture sector will definitely be ruined.” Farmers in Sopore are also asking for insurance to cover the damage caused by bad weather.

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Congress leader Rahul Gandhi raised this issue at his election rally in Sopore. He said, “People are eating apples from other countries, but I want to see our apples on the shelves of American stores. The primary thing is to restore statehood first; without it, nothing will happen.

Mohammad Abdullah, a fruit grower from Rafiabad, advocated for a 100 percent tax on imported apples and other fruits. He further stated, “When we send our apples to Bangladesh, their government charges a 100 percent tax. We want the same tax to be levied on apples from other nations.