A delegation of apple growers under the banner of Himalayan Apple Growers Society met Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal at his office today.
The delegation expressed deep concern over the rapidly increasing apple imports from Turkey and demanded an immediate complete ban on it. While handing over a memorandum to the Hon’ble Minister, the delegation informed that due to this cheap and subsidized import, the orchardists of the country are incurring huge losses and are not even able to recover the cost price.
The delegation also highlighted that Turkey is a country which provides military assistance and defense equipment to Pakistan – a country spreading terrorism in India.
Imports from such a country are not only harmful for the country’s economy but are also extremely worrying from the national security point of view.
The delegation also said that apple is not just a crop but is the basis of the economy of the hill states and the livelihood of lakhs of farmers.
The delegation presented five major demands before the Union Minister:
1. There should be an immediate ban on the import of apples from Turkey.
2. The minimum import price (MIP) limit should be increased on apple imports from other countries.
3. Quality and “phytosanitary” standards should be strictly implemented on imported apples, so that any kind of disease and virus does not enter our country through apples.
The Honorable Minister listened to the delegation seriously and assured appropriate action.
This issue is not only economic, but is also related to the dignity of the farmers of the country, self-reliance of the hill states and the self-respect of self-reliant India.
