JKPICCA demands safeguarding JK’s Agro-Processing Sector
Seeks urgent policy support from Centre
Srinagar: The Jammu & Kashmir Fruits & Vegetable Processing & Integrated Cold Chain Association (JKPICCA) has made a strong appeal to the Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal, seeking immediate policy interventions to sustain industrial growth in the region’s cold chain and agro-processing sectors.
In a memorandum President JKPICCA Bashir Ahmad Naik flagged four critical issues threatening the viability of hundreds of agri-based enterprises in Jammu & Kashmir.
These include rising pressure from cheap apple imports, delayed registrations of industrial units, lack of new policy framework and inadequate export infrastructure, the memorandum said.
Key among the demands is the safeguarding of domestic apple growers by increasing import duties and raising the Minimum Import Price (MIP) for imported apples to ₹100 per kg. The association highlighted that Indian apple production costs are nearly double those in countries like the US and Iran, putting local farmers at a significant disadvantage, it said.
JKPICCA also expressed concern over 579 pending unit registrations under the New Central Sector Scheme (NCSS 2021), many of which have already made significant investments. The association urged the Centre to expand funding and clear these applications immediately.
With new registrations closed under NCSS 2021, JKPICCA warned of a growing policy vacuum deterring fresh investments. It called for a new industrial policy that includes interest subvention on working capital and capital equipment, GST-linked incentives, and 100% reimbursement of insurance premiums.
The memorandum further proposed the establishment of an Inland Container Depot (ICD) in Kashmir to streamline apple exports and reduce post-harvest losses. It also pressed for a dedicated air cargo terminal at Srinagar Airport to handle sensitive horticultural produce like cherries and berries.
JKPICCA emphasized that without immediate intervention, the gains of NCSS 2021 could be undone, impacting livelihoods across J&K’s agrarian economy.
