Farmers fully protected despite apple duty cuts: Chouhan
Srinagar, Apr 27: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday rejected concerns over apple imports, saying domestic farmers will be fully protected despite recent duty cuts on New Zealand apples.
Addressing a press conference here, Chouhan said India's annual apple production of 20 lakh metric tonnes falls short of the 26 lakh metric tonnes demand, making imports necessary for now.
"Imports will continue strictly on India's terms," he said, adding that duties, quotas, and pricing safeguards will shield local growers from adverse impact.
The minister also announced a Rs 100 crore Clean Plant Centre for Kashmir, saying it will develop disease-free, high-quality nurseries locally to boost domestic horticulture output.
Expert teams will also visit the Valley to prepare a roadmap for enhancing productivity, while a separate study will examine the decline in saffron cultivation, Chouhan said.
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