AFFI’s First National Conference in Chandigarh
The First National Conference of the Apple Farmers’ Federation of India (AFFI) was organised in Cheema Bhawan, Chandigarh on January 18 and 19, 2024, with the enthusiastic participation of apple farmers from Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. This historic conference has decided to launch intensive campaigns on the livelihood issues of apple growers from the village-level in the country’s apple belt and also lend its strength to the 26 January tractor parade and 16 February Grameen against the anti-farmer policies of the Union government and the betrayal of the promises made by PM Modi to farmers’ organisations during the suspension of the historic Kisan Andolan at Delhi’s borders.
A total of 85 delegates from all three states participated in the proceedings. Flag hoisting was done by former MLA Rakesh Singha while the Conference was inaugurated by P Krishnaprasad, Finance Secretary of All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS).
On January 18, a report was placed by Sohan Singh Thakur, convenor of the organising committee. After a rich discussion, the report was adopted unanimously.
The Conference passed resolutions against the amendment made to land laws in J&K recently also adopted a charter of demands which was presented by Rakesh Singha. The Conference has demanded remunerative prices for apple, universal packaging and freight charges, subsidised cold storages, imposition of 100% import duty on apple, insurance against climate change and diseases, state support for producer cooperatives, etc. The Conference has decided to enrol a total membership of 56,000 growers till the end of 2024. The AFFI currently has a membership strength of roughly 10,000 growers.
The Conference then elected a 11-member coordination committee. Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, former MLA from Kulgam, J&K, and Rakesh Singha were elected as Coordinators. The delegate session concluded with a rousing speech by AIKS General Secretary Comrade Vijoo Krishnan.
Issued by,
Mohd Yousuf Tarigami, former MLA
Rakesh Singha, former MLA
(Coordinators, AFFI)
