The Jammu & Kashmir Fruits & Vegetable Processing & Integrated Cold Chain Association (JKPICCA) has appealed to Union Commerce & Industry Minister Shri Piyush Goyal for urgent policy interventions to safeguard the cold chain and agro-processing sectors in the region.
In a memorandum submitted Monday, JKPICCA President Bashir Ahmad Naik outlined four pressing challenges threatening the sector’s viability: increasing imports of cheap apples, stalled registrations of industrial units, absence of a new policy framework, and lack of export infrastructure.
The association strongly urged the government to raise import duties and set the Minimum Import Price (MIP) for imported apples at ₹100 per kg, citing that Indian apple growers face nearly double the production costs compared to counterparts in Iran or the US.
JKPICCA also raised concern over 579 pending unit registrations under the New Central Sector Scheme (NCSS 2021), despite significant investments made. It called on the Centre to expand funding and expedite application clearances.
With registrations under NCSS 2021 now closed, the association warned of a looming policy gap discouraging new investments. It proposed a fresh industrial policy with working capital interest subvention, capital equipment support, GST-linked incentives, and 100% reimbursement of insurance premiums.
To address export bottlenecks, JKPICCA recommended setting up an Inland Container Depot (ICD) in Kashmir and a dedicated air cargo terminal at Srinagar Airport to manage delicate horticultural produce such as cherries and berries.
The association stressed that without timely intervention, the progress made under NCSS 2021 risks reversal, endangering the livelihoods of thousands dependent on J&K’s agrarian economy.