SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Apple Farmers Federation has raised alarm over significant losses to the region’s apple growers, following the continued blockade of the national highway due to recent inclement weather.
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Truckloads of ripe apples are currently stranded along the route, delaying their dispatch to domestic and international markets. Growers warn that the delay is leading to fruit spoilage, threatening their earnings at the peak of the harvest season.
“The highway blockade has left our fruit-laden trucks stranded for days, and the apples are beginning to rot inside the vehicles,” said Zahoor Ahmad Rather, President of the Jammu and Kashmir Apple Farmers Federation. “Apple is the backbone of Kashmir’s economy, and every day of delay means huge financial losses for growers who rely on timely market access.”
The Federation has urged the authorities to take immediate steps to restore the smooth and uninterrupted movement of apple-laden vehicles. Rather also appealed for apple trucks to be given preference once the route reopens, in order to minimise further losses.
Apple cultivation is a vital sector in Jammu and Kashmir’s economy, supporting thousands of households across the Valley. Weather-related disruptions and infrastructure bottlenecks have repeatedly posed challenges to growers, who depend on reliable transport to deliver their highly perishable produce.
The Federation called on the administration to prioritise agricultural freight, warning that continued inaction could have long-term consequences for both livelihoods and the region’s economy.kashmirife