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Apple growers in Himachal Pradesh have welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement that India will not compromise on the interests of farmers, livestock keepers, and fishermen.

 

Growers had been worried that India might reduce import duty on Washington apples under pressure from US president Donald Trump. The PM’s firm stance has come as a relief, with many saying it will protect the local apple economy from serious harm.

 

Harish Chauhan, president of the Fruit, Vegetable and Flower Growers Association, said, “We appreciate the PM’s statement. It will help protect farmers and the rural economy.” He also said India should take a strong stand like it did in 2018, when the tariff on Washington apples was raised from 50 per cent to 70 per cent in response to higher US duties on Indian steel and aluminum.

 

Sohan Thakur, president of Seb Utpadak Sangh, said there had been rumours that India would lower the apple import duty to 15 per cent. “That would have badly hit our apple market,” he said. He praised PM Modi for his firm stand.

 

Lokinder Bisht, president of the Progressive Growers Association, added that the government should continue to resist pressure from the US and protect domestic growers.