How can Kashmiri farmers compete with American apples, walnuts, and almonds, backed by massive U.S. subsidies? Kashmiri growers, who produce over 70% of India’s apples and significant walnut and almond yields, are losing ground as subsidized U.S. imports flood the market. In 2023, U.S. farmers received ₹1.3 lakh crore (Rs. 1,30,000 crore) in direct subsidies, per the USDA, with apples, walnuts, and almonds gaining from programs like the Farm Bill. This allows U.S. producers to sell apples at ₹42 per pound, walnuts at ₹100 per pound, and almonds at ₹210 per pound. Meanwhile, Kashmiri farmers, without similar support, face production costs of ₹58, ₹125, and ₹250 per pound, respectively.
Inflation compounds the crisis—fertilizer costs have risen 40% and labor 20% since 2020. U.S. imports, cushioned by a ₹1.6 lakh crore WTO subsidy limit (exceeded in 2019 at ₹1.8 lakh crore), undercut local prices. India’s recent tariff cut on U.S. apples from 50% to 20% only deepens the wound.
Legislators must respond: hike import duties to 100%, provide ₹4,200 crore in annual subsidies for Kashmiri farmers, and offset inflation’s 6-8% yearly surge. Without action, local growers can’t survive this subsidized onslaught.
