India-US deal: Some J&K fruit growers on edge, others call it opportunity
The fruit growers and dealers in Kashmir are worried about the adverse effects of the India-US trade deal on local economy but there are voices within the fraternity who claim the agreement will stabilize the prices and improve the quality of the local produce.
Javaid Ahmad Lone, a walnut farmer and dealer from south Kashmir Shopian district, said the imported goods from the US will push the local farmers to improve their stock if they want to stay in the business.
" Protectionism is not good for the farmers all the time. They become complacent as they have a captive market. For example, the rates of local almonds and walnuts in Kashmir fluctuate like share market. No one is sure what is happening," Lone told PTI.
He said with steady flow of walnuts and almonds from the US, the prices of local produce will also stabilize.
"The imported walnuts and almonds have better quality and were already very competitive with tariffs. The local farmers will have to improve their quality as wel