Gardeners of Kasumpti to support apple movement, Will participate in secretariat gherao on August 5
Himachal Kisan Sabha Regional Committee Kasumpti has supported the secretariat gherao on the apple issue on the call of the United Front. Secretary of the regional committee, Jaishiv Thakur informed that on August 5, apple and vegetable growers of Mashobra Kasumpti will participate in the demonstration.
He said that the farmers of Kasumpti area and Mashobra block are now turning from vegetable to apple production. In the coming time, apple will be the means of livelihood for many families here. But apple production also has many challenges like vegetables. The cost of production has increased so much that the farmer-horticulturist is not even able to recover the price of his produce. The same is the condition of apple growers as the vegetable growers are exploited in the mandis.
Thakur said that farmers are demanding minimum support price for apples. In Jammu and Kashmir, A grade, B grade and C grade apples are being bought at the government rate of Rs 60, Rs 44 and Rs 24, while the minimum support price in Himachal is only Rs.10 and a half. This money is also available to the gardeners after 3-4 years. At the same time, the grant amount of crores of rupees has not been paid for the equipment purchased for horticulture. From above the cost of packaging material, freight and other expenses have become so high that even the cost price is not being returned to the gardeners. Due to the lax policy of the government, there is a lot of anger among the farmers and they are forced to take the path of agitation.
On the other hand, State Finance Secretary of Kisan Sabha Satyavan Pundir said that if under the pressure of farmers there is a reduction in the support price for apples, subsidy in fertilizers and sprays and the prices of boxes, then our next demand is the market intervention scheme for vegetables on the lines of Kerala. (MIS) will get the strength to rise.
He informed that Kerala is the first state in the country to declare minimum support price for vegetables, where farmers are paid 20 percent more than their cost of production. Pundir informed that the Kerala government is giving Minimum Support Price on 16 vegetables. If the price of vegetables decreases in the mandi, then the government buys vegetables from the farmers at the minimum price, so the prices do not fall in the market and the farmers get a fair price.
He expressed confidence that if there is pressure from the farmers then it can be possible in our state also and every year the farmers can get relief from the fluctuating prices of vegetables.
Pundir said that our area is also a hailstorm sensitive area, so our demand will also be to give grant in Hell Gun and Vegetables in Hell Net for this area.
He has appealed to all the farmers of Kasumpti area to come to Shimla on 5th August and strengthen the struggle of the farmers.
