Apple growers in Himachal Pradesh have declared plans for a mass protest against the proposed “zero import tariff” on apples from the United States, warning that the move could severely damage the hill state’s apple-based economy.
Farmer leaders have sought the support of the state government, calling the India-US trade deal anti-farmer and harmful to horticulture-dependent regions.
Former MLA and senior farmers’ leader Rakesh Singha warned that duty-free imports of heavily subsidised apples from US would badly hit local growers, especially those who have invested crores of rupees in modern orchards.
"The impact of this policy will be very deep. American apple farming is backed by massive subsidies and corporate players like Walmart and Cargill. Our farmers do not get even a fraction of that support. If zero-tariff apples enter India, it will destroy apple orchards here. This storm has already reached our fields, and it will uproot everything," he said.
He said the move was politically motivated and aimed at punishing the hill state for following its own policy decisions, including the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).
"This is not just about apples. This is about breaking the backbone of Himachal's economy. This fight is for the people of Himachal Pradesh, and we will stop this through a united movement," he further said.
Sanjay Chauhan, President of the Himachal Pradesh Apple Farmers Association, said the India-US trade arrangement would “tear apart” the apple economy of hill states.
"The trade deal between India and the United States has created serious controversy. If apples from the US are allowed to enter India at zero tariff, farmers in Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir and Uttarakhand--more than 15 lakh families will suffer massive losses," Chauhan said.
He said the Modi government should place the complete details of the deal before Parliament and hold a detailed discussion.
"This deal affects agriculture, trade and manufacturing. The government has already reduced apple import duties earlier. Zero tariff will be disastrous. This is an attack on India's federal structure and on financially weak hill states," he said.
Chauhan also connected the issue to the discontinuation of Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG) and GST compensation, stating that the Central government had gradually withdrawn financial support to hill states after 2014.
"Himachal Pradesh has already lost around ₹48,000 crore in revenue support earlier. Ending RDG and GST compensation will push the state deeper into debt. This is a direct economic attack on the people of Himachal," he added, urging the Chief Minister to immediately convene an all-party meeting.
Harish Chauhan, Convener of the Joint Farmers’ Associations in Himachal Pradesh, described the trade deal as a “death warrant” for apple farmers.
"These foreign trade agreements are crushing apple, walnut and almond growers in Himachal, Kashmir and Uttarakhand. Tariffs on apples, walnuts and almonds have been reduced to zero, and even non-tariff barriers are being removed. We have been sacrificed in this deal," he said.
Harish said that past data showed a sharp increase in US apple imports whenever tariffs were reduced.
"As soon as tariffs are reduced, cheap apples flood the Indian market. Our apple-based economy will collapse. This deal is nothing short of a death warrant for hill farmers," he warned.
“The red carpet has been rolled out for foreign agricultural imports. Slowly, Indian crops will be pushed out. We will coordinate with farmer organisations across the country and launch a nationwide movement. This is a question of our livelihood,” he said.
Apple farming forms the backbone of Himachal Pradesh’s rural economy, supporting nearly 5–6 lakh families directly and indirectly. Along with Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand, these hill states account for the bulk of India’s apple production. Apples contribute thousands of crores of rupees every year to the state economy and generate large-scale seasonal employment.
Farmers claim that unlike countries such as the US, New Zealand and members of the European Union, Indian apple growers receive very limited subsidies, weak scientific support and have much lower productivity per hectare, making them vulnerable to cheap imports.
The debate has surfaced after announcements related to an India-US trade understanding, under which US tariffs on Indian goods have been reduced, while India is expected to lower or eliminate tariffs on several agricultural products.
Also Read: FTA on apple imports may hurt HP farmers: Sukhu
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