Charge freight as per weight, speed up payments: Apple growers list demands

Tribune News Service

Mandi, August 5

Outlining their demands and concerns, apple growers of Banjar subdivision in Kullu formally submitted a memorandum to Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Pankaj Sharma yesterday. The action was taken due to the growing frustration among local farmers over the rising costs and uncertainties in apple cultivation and market conditions.

Meeting on August 6

SDM Pankaj Sharma announced that a joint meeting will be held on August 6 in Banjar. The meeting will include officials from the Public Works Department, Horticulture Department, jeep union, truck union and the APMC to discuss solutions to the farmers’ issues and preparations for the upcoming apple season. — Mohar Singh, president of the Apple Growers Association, BANJAR

Led by Mohar Singh, president of the Apple Growers Association, Banjar, the apple producers raised significant issues regarding the current freight rates. They argued that the rates are arbitrary and lack consistency. This year, the government has mandated that apples be sold based on weight in universal cartons and growers are calling for freight charges to be adjusted accordingly.

They also requested strict implementation of the APMC Act, 2005, and the Goods Act, 2006, to prevent exploitation and fraud in local markets. The growers have also called for immediate payment of apples purchased by the HPMC Himfed and for subsidies on fertilisers, pesticides, fungicides and agricultural equipment.

They have also requested that all roads in the valley should be repaired before the start of the apple season to facilitate transportation. They also sought prompt settlement of outstanding payments owed to them by middlemen and buyers. The association has urged the administration to file FIRs against middlemen who are holding back payments and to assign a special investigation team to resolve these issues quickly.

Mohar Singh stated that the current open market and trade policies are making agriculture and horticulture a losing proposition. He urged the government to take concrete measures to support this crucial sector to prevent a decline in its contribution to the state’s economy.

“SDM Pankaj Sharma announced that a joint meeting will be held on August 6 in Banjar. The meeting will include officials from the Public Works Department, Horticulture Department, jeep union, truck union and the APMC to discuss solutions to the farmers’ issues and preparations for the upcoming apple season,” said Mohar Singh.

Singh has called on all apple growers concerned to participate in the meeting and provide details of outstanding payments owed to them to ensure their issues are addressed effectively.