Kashmir’s Apple Crisis: Growers Face Devastating Losses as Key Highway Remains Blocked

The picturesque region of Kashmir, renowned for its lush landscapes and bountiful orchards, is currently facing a severe crisis as apple growers watch their harvests rot due to a blocked highway. This critical situation has arisen from the closure of the Jammu–Srinagar national highway, the sole all-weather road connecting the Himalayan region to the rest of India, which has been obstructed since August 24 due to landslides triggered by relentless monsoon rains.

The Impact on Apple Growers

Sopore, a town in Baramulla district located approximately 45 kilometers (28 miles) from Srinagar, is home to Asia’s largest fruit market. The market, which typically buzzes with activity during the harvest season, has become a symbol of despair. On Tuesday, crates of freshly harvested apples were stacked high, awaiting transportation but slowly losing their value as time passed. Reports indicate that the price of a box of apples has plummeted from 600 rupees (approximately $7) to 400 rupees ($5) as the produce deteriorates.

The apple harvest is vital to the local economy, with Kashmir producing around 20 to 25 million metric tonnes of apples annually, accounting for roughly 78 percent of India’s total apple output. This year, however, the growers are facing unprecedented challenges due to the highway’s closure, which has left around 4,000 trucks stranded. According to local officials, this situation has resulted in estimated losses nearing $146 million.

Government Response

In a bid to alleviate the crisis, Manoj Sinha, the top official appointed by New Delhi, announced on September 15 the launch of a dedicated train service from Budgam station to New Delhi for transporting apples. The initiative aims to significantly reduce transit times and enhance income opportunities for farmers. However, critics argue that the train’s capacity is limited, able to carry only about 23-24 tonnes of produce each day, which is insufficient given the scale of the crisis.

A local railway official, speaking on condition of anonymity, remarked that the train service is essentially a parcel coach linked to a passenger train, rather than a fully operational goods train. This limitation has led to frustration among farmers who feel that the government’s response has been inadequate.

Voices from the Ground

Javid Ahmad Bhat, a local grower, expressed his dismay over the situation. “All our hard work for the entire year has gone to waste. What we painstakingly nurtured since spring is lost,” he lamented, as he stood beside his two trucks laden with apples, now rotting under tarpaulin covers. Bhat’s sentiment is echoed by many in the region who depend on the apple harvest for their livelihoods.

The crisis has not only impacted individual farmers but has also reverberated throughout the entire agricultural sector in Kashmir. Bhat highlighted that the repercussions extend beyond just the apple growers, affecting the broader economy of the region. “Our entire livelihood depends on this harvest,” he stated, referring to the ongoing hardships faced by farmers.

Calls for Action

As the situation deteriorates, regional leaders are demanding urgent action. Omar Abdullah, the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, who has limited administrative powers, has called for the federal government to either restore the highway or transfer control of it to local authorities. Abdullah’s frustrations were evident as he criticized the lack of urgency from the federal government, stating, “If the federal government cannot keep the highway operational, it should be handed over to me.”

In response to the ongoing crisis, fruit growers across Kashmir organized protests, shutting down markets to voice their grievances over the government’s inability to clear the road. Fayaz Ahmad Malik, president of the Kashmir fruit growers’ association, noted that only about 10 percent of the trucks managed to leave for New Delhi after a 20-day standstill, leaving thousands still stranded.

The Broader Context

The blockade of the Jammu-Srinagar highway coincides with the peak harvest season, locally referred to as “harud,” during which apples, walnuts, and rice are gathered from orchards and fields. The ongoing monsoon has wreaked havoc across the region, leading to significant infrastructure damage and loss of life, with at least 170 fatalities reported.

Ishfaq Ahmad, another fruit grower, emphasized the urgency of the situation, warning that if the highway remains blocked for even a few more days, losses could escalate dramatically. The frustration among growers is palpable, as many are left with no option but to dispose of their rotting produce.

Conclusion

While assurances have been made by federal officials regarding the restoration of the highway, the reality on the ground remains grim for Kashmir’s apple growers. With their livelihoods hanging in the balance, farmers are left to contend with the devastating consequences of this ongoing crisis.

Key Facts

– Kashmir produces approximately 78% of India’s total apple output, amounting to 20-25 million metric tonnes annually.
– The Jammu–Srinagar national highway has been blocked since August 24 due to landslides, impacting around 4,000 trucks.
– Estimated losses for the stranded apples are nearing $146 million.
– A dedicated train service was launched on September 15 to transport apples, but its limited capacity has raised concerns among growers.
– Protests have erupted across Kashmir as farmers demand urgent government action to clear the highway.

Source: www.aljazeera.com