“Unless alternative roads are explored, apple industry in Valley will die soon”

“Unless alternative roads are explored, apple industry in Valley will die soon”
Interview with MA Sofi-Apple Grower & Merchant, Kashmir

D. Suba Chandran

India and Pakistan have agreed to open the LoC for trade. What are the expectations of Apple industry in Kashmir Valley?
Opening Uri-Muzaffarabad road for trade is important, especially for the apple industry. Since almost 80 percent of the population is engaged in various sectors of fruit industry, opening this road will improve this sector. Today, fruit industry is heavily dependent on the Jawahar tunnel, which is the only road to outside world. Except cherries, most of the other fruits go through this road, which is prone for natural disasters such as land slide. For this reason, it is important that Uri-Muzaffarabad road is opened. Traditionally, apples were sold through this road.

Opening LoC for trade will give faster access to Kashmir’s apples. Besides, this road is opened all through the year. Apples from Anantnag could reach Rawalpindi faster than it reaches New Delhi or at times, even Jammu.

What is the market potential on the other side of the LoC?
This road, however should not end in Muzaffarabad, for it will not benefit the fruit industry. For example, five trucks of apples from the Valley will flood the Muzaffarabad city. The apples should be allowed to go to Pakistan, where there is a huge market. Though apples are also grown in Pakistan, Kashmiri industry is much better. Today, even apples produced in Himachal Pradesh reach Pakistan.

How will this trade impact on the apple industry inside Kashmir?
The fruit industry in Kashmir, including the apples, is declining today. If this pace continues, the apple industry will die a natural death and the people associated with this industry will subsequently face further problems. Problems of transporting and packaging are two great issues facing the apple industry today. Loading in Valley and unloading in New Delhi takes a huge cost and also the time involved in this process is significant. Trade through LoC will address this important issue.

In the long run, this will address the Kashmiri apples to compete in the international market. There is a need to invest in better varieties of apples, pesticides and fertilizers. This could be done, only if there is bigger and better market, which could be accessed easily and swiftly. Unless alternative roads are explored, apple industry will die soon.