Former Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti on Friday warned that the Indo-US trade deal would have serious repercussions for the horticulture sector of Jammu and Kashmir and the wider Indian agriculture economy.
Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Mehbooba Mufti said the proposed trade deal would erode safeguards traditionally available to farmers across the country, with potentially deeper repercussions for Jammu and Kashmir.
“This deal will impact land ownership across the country, but its consequences for Jammu and Kashmir are difficult to estimate. Fruit growers – particularly apple and dry fruit producers – are likely to face serious repercussions,” she said.
She said the horticulture sector is the backbone of Jammu and Kashmir’s economy and sustains lakhs of families.
“If this trade deal goes through in its present form, it will economically weaken us and unemployment will rise,” she said.
Mehbooba claimed that the influx of imported apples has already created distress in local markets. She referred to apples from Iran entering the domestic market and alleged that local produce has struggled to compete due to price differences.
She said American farmers receive substantial subsidies from their government, placing Kashmiri orchardists at a disadvantage. “Our apple cannot compete with heavily subsidized American apple. This trade deal will have serious consequences,” she asserted.
The PDP chief appealed to the Prime Minister to reconsider the proposed agreement, describing it as detrimental to the interests of farmers and those associated with the horticulture sector. She demanded that at least 50 percent import duty be imposed on apples coming from outside the country to protect domestic growers.
Mehbooba said people in Jammu and Kashmir have endured years of hardship and shown patience since 2019, but warned that the proposed India-US trade deal could threaten their livelihoods and economic stability.
She said the region’s economy – particularly horticulture – sustains families’ employment, children’s education and daily survival. She cautioned that any policy move that weakens this economic backbone would leave thousands of youth without opportunities.
Appealing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take the concerns seriously, Mehbooba said the people of the region have already faced significant challenges and cannot bear further economic shocks, asking what options would remain for the youth if their primary source of livelihood is undermined.
