Two day national conference of apple growers concludes

Chandigarh, January 19, 2024: As many as 100 apple growers from HP, J&K and Uttarakhand participated in a two days first National Conference of Apple Farmers’ Federation of India (AFFI), which concluded at Cheema Bhawan here on Friday. P Krishnaprasad Finance Secretary of All India Kisan Sabha inaugurated the conference where growers discussed various issues affecting the apple economy.

During the conference, a demands resolution was passed along with the future course of action.  The growers unanimously decided to launch intensive campaigns for their pending demands affecting the livelihood of apple growers in the country's apple belt.

They also lent their support to ‘Tractor Parade’ on January 26 and Grameen Bandh called by Samyukta Kisan Morcha and Central Trade Unions against the anti-farmer policies of the Union government on February 16.

Talking to the media Rakesh Singha, former MLA from HP said that the apple growers are badly hit by dwindling prices and withdrawal of state support. The belt is also adversely affected by extreme climatic disturbances like hailstorms causing severe impact on healthy prospectus of apple produce, he said.

Vijoo Krishnan, General Secretary All India Kisan Sabha said that there is stagnation in productivity. The adequate and subsidized cold chain infrastructure is a need of the hour, he maintained.

Meanwhile, the conference also elected a Member Committee with National Convenor and Co-Convenors. It also decided to enroll a total membership of 56,000 growers till the end of 2024. The AFFI currently has a membership strength of around 10,000 growers.