THE first state conference of the Himachal Apple Growers Association took place on December 24-25, 2023, at Rampur in the Shimla district in which 92 delegates from 16 blocks participated. Following the condolence resolution, CITU state leader Amit delivered the welcome address at the conference.

The inaugural address was given by P Krishna Prasad, treasurer of the All India Kisan Sabha, who shed light on the challenges faced by apple growers at the national level. Emphasizing the significance of the conference, he highlighted the critical role of apple cultivation in the economy of Himachal Pradesh, a state with modest economic resources. Prasad underlined the need to confront those destroying agriculture and expressed concern about a substantial portion of wealth flowing to intermediaries. Advocating for a collective struggle, he emphasized the importance of fighting for the welfare of the common people and the preservation of agriculture.

Drawing parallels between the crisis faced by apple farmers in Himachal Pradesh and the broader challenges in the country, Prasad pointed out the detrimental impact of domestic and international capital on farmers. He highlighted the escalating debt burden due to rising cultivation costs coupled with decreasing income, leading to widespread losses among farmers.

Addressing the soaring prices of fertilizers and pesticides in the country, Prasad noted the dire situation. He emphasized the pivotal role of apple cultivation, sustaining approximately 9 lakh families in India, with around 42 lakh individuals in Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand relying on it. Stressing that 95 per cent of the produced apples are consumed as fruit, Prasad highlighted India's global standing as the sixth largest producer, contributing around 50 lakh metric tonnes to the world's apple production.

The conference report was presented by secretary Prem Chauhan, covering the political and organisational situation of the country. The report delved into the challenges faced by orchardists, detailing aspects such as organisation, membership, funds, activities, and future agitational plans. Delegates engaged in in-depth discussions within their respective groups, focusing on the specific issues concerning apples in their respective regions.

Addressing the challenges confronted by farmers in Himachal Pradesh, Kuldeep Singh Tanwar, state president of Kisan Sabha, highlighted that the state's total crop production amounts to 44 lakh tonnes. This includes 47 percent vegetable production, 34 per cent foodgrain production, and 16 percent apple production. Approximately 65 per cent of the state's population relies on agriculture. However, Tanwar emphasized the absence of a systematic and effective government system to disseminate knowledge of modern technology among common farmers.

Rakesh Singha and Onkar Shad, CPI(M) leaders, also addressed the gathering, emphasizing that apple production serves as the primary livelihood for approximately 50 lakh individuals and 9 lakh families in India, particularly within the apple sector. In Himachal Pradesh alone, 1.75 lakh families are engaged in apple farming. Agriculture plays a substantial role in the state's economy, with horticulture accounting for 39.0 per cent of total employment and 48.3 per cent of the area dedicated to apple cultivation.

The apple sector constitutes 84 per cent of the total fruit production in the state. However, the production of apples in Himachal Pradesh stands at 8-10 metric tons per hectare, significantly lower than the global average of 40-60 metric tons per hectare. Moreover, the cost of production is steadily increasing. Since 1990, fertilizers have become nearly 9 times more expensive, medicines 20 times, and equipment 6-7 times. In India, government subsidies to farmers and horticulturists are a mere 3 per cent, contrasting sharply with 29 per cent in the US, 37 per cent in European countries, 60 per cent in South Korea, and 26 per cent in Pakistan.

The Himachal Pradesh government, under the pressure of the movement of the apple growers, was forced to sell the apples to the arhtiyas in the market on the basis of weight instead of box. A movement has been announced to be started from next year and preparations will be made for the movement by raising the problems of the orchadists in front of the government.  

The newly elected committee comprises 35 members and a 13-member secretariat. The key office bearers are Sohan Thakur (president), Purna Thakur (secretary), Prem Chauhan (treasurer), Narayan Chauhan (vice president), Sushil Chauhan (vice president), Sucheta Sharma (vice president), Govind Bhandari (vice president), Hem Raj (joint secretary), Vijay Rajta (joint secretary), and Pawan Sharma (joint secretary).