Srinagar
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday accused the Jammu and Kashmir government of neglecting the horticulture sector, calling it the “backbone” of the Valley’s economy. She said her late father, former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, had introduced several strong measures to support fruit growers during his tenure.
Mehbooba recalled that Sayeed had waived toll tax, set up fruit mandis, started the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for buying C-grade apples, and launched high-density plantation drives to improve production and quality. These, she said, were bold and effective steps that directly benefited farmers and strengthened the Valley’s economy.
In contrast, Mehbooba alleged that the present government under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had remained a “silent spectator” to the challenges faced by horticulture. She said the failure to continue such initiatives had worsened the struggles of fruit growers.
She particularly criticised the government for not procuring C-grade apples under the MIS this year. This, she argued, has caused serious financial losses to farmers, who were already facing repeated disruptions, including frequent highway closures.
“The government has failed to take forward these critical initiatives,” Mehbooba said in a post on X, stressing that the sector needed immediate attention to protect the livelihoods of thousands of families.
Her remarks highlight growing discontent among farmers in Kashmir, where horticulture — especially apple production — provides income to a large share of the population. Mehbooba’s criticism reflects broader concerns that government inaction could weaken one of the Valley’s most vital economic lifelines.
