Shimla, Feb. 7 -- Despite repeated assurances by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal that Indian apple growers' interests will be protected, apple farmers in Himachal Pradesh have intensified preparations to join the nationwide farmers' strike on February 12 and announced a Delhi march, warning that recent import duty reductions under India-US and other free trade agreements could devastate the hill state's apple-based economy.

Farmer organisations across Himachal Pradesh have accused the Centre of pursuing "anti-farmer" trade policies and said growers are now ready to march to Delhi as part of a united national movement. The call was reiterated during block-level meetings of the Himachal Pradesh Apple Growers' Association ...