Jammu, Feb 17: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) MLA Waheed Ur Rehman Para on Tuesday pressed for convening an all-party meeting to discuss the impact of free trade agreements with foreign countries on Jammu and Kashmir’s horticulture sector, particularly the apple industry, and urged that a collective appeal be made to the Prime Minister on the issue.
Speaking during a discussion on departmental allocations in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Para said an all-party meeting would help evolve a common and united stand.
“If you call an all-party meeting and discuss this issue, an appeal can be made to the prime minister to consider the matter. For Kashmir, our problems of unemployment and our efforts to come out of militancy after a prolonged phase are closely linked to economic revival,” he said.
The PDP legislator asserted that Jammu and Kashmir’s economy cannot revive unless the apple industry is adequately safeguarded. Describing the Indo-US trade agreement as an issue cutting across party lines, Para urged the Chief Minister to convene a meeting involving the BJP and other opposition parties, besides Congress and the ruling dispensation.
“This is everyone’s issue — of the opposition, the BJP, the Congress and the government as well,” he said.
Flagging rising unemployment, the Pulwama MLA said sustained economic recovery was essential for steering the region away from militancy. He termed the free trade policy a major challenge for the horticulture sector, especially in disaster-prone areas, and said farmers across the country were anxious about its implications.
Citing concerns raised by Congress MLA G A Mir, Para said there was widespread resentment and apprehension among landholders in Jammu and Kashmir over the threat posed to apples and other local produce.
He noted that while the J&K government has limited options, trade agreements with countries such as the US, Australia, New Zealand and several European nations could severely impact the domestic fruit market and cause hardship to growers.
Para also called for revival of a dry port sanctioned for Jammu following a deal signed in Dubai during the tenure of former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, saying it could significantly boost trade in the region.
While lauding the government’s initiatives in the agro-horticulture sector — including technological interventions in pre- and post-harvest stages such as drip irrigation, hail nets, high-density plantation programmes and improved storage facilities — he said districts like Pulwama and Shopian had shown encouraging results.
However, he pointed out that out of nearly 30 lakh kanals under apple cultivation in the Union Territory, only about 30,000 kanals have so far been brought under high-density plantations. Stressing the need to scale up the programme, Para sought interest-free loans under existing banking schemes, saying farmers could recover their investments within two years.
He further said that while southern Kashmir had witnessed better implementation of tech-driven horticulture, greater awareness was needed in north and central Kashmir. Raising concerns over irrigation, Para said objections by the groundwater department had increased costs of borewell construction under the constituency development fund (CDF), citing a circular barring such works.
Highlighting a broader irrigation crisis, he alleged delays in the release of funds by the Jal Shakti department due to House committee issues, which had stalled several projects.
The PDP MLA also suggested taking up desilting of streams, rivers and irrigation canals in a mission mode under MGNREGA, with proper mapping by the rural development department, saying it would help address irrigation problems and deliver tangible benefits to people.
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