No nation should be allowed to dump surplus apple in India: Negi
Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi today said that the Central Government would need to take a stand against any country trying to dump its surplus apple in India. “As per the World Trade Organisation agreement, we need to import some quantity of apple from different countries. But if any country like the US wants to dump its surplus produce in India, we will have to take a stand against it,” Negi said while talking to mediapersons at the Apple Conclave organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Himachal Pradesh, at Kufri.
Negi said that while apple import from Turkey should be banned, the government should not succumb to the US pressure to reduce tariff on its apple. “The Central Government has already reduced duty on the US apple from 70 per cent to 50 per cent and US president Donald Trump is talking about the duty reduction to zero. We need to protect our local growers,” he added.
The conclave brought together policymakers, horticulture experts, industry leaders and several progressive apple growers from the state to deliberate on the future of the apple economy in the Himalayan region.
Negi underscored the importance of standardised packaging to improve the marketability and competitiveness of Himachal’s apple. He assured the stakeholders that the state government was actively exploring the inclusion of the trellis support system for high-density plantations under subsidy schemes — an initiative that would encourage small and marginal farmers to adopt high-density farming techniques.
Vinay Singh, Director (Horticulture), said that the state government had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Griba Nursery, Italy, to provide farmers with high-yielding, certified apple cultivars at subsidised rates.
Sanjay Suri, vice-chairman, CII (Himachal Pradesh State Council), reaffirmed the confederation’s unwavering support to the apple-growing community. “The CII remains deeply engaged with the challenges and aspirations of the apple growers in the state,” he said. “We are fully committed to supporting them on policy matters, whether through advocacy with the Central Government or a representation on international platforms,” he added. Several leading companies showcased their latest innovations in apple farming during the conclave.
