Shimla, Feb. 8 -- Apple growers in Himachal Pradesh's Kotkhai region have expressed growing concern over the Government of India's recent free trade agreements (FTAs) with various countries, fearing a threat to domestic orchards and farmers' livelihoods.

A block-level meeting of the Himachal Apple Growers Association (HAGA) was held on Sunday at Khaneti in Kotkhai, with participation from a large number of apple growers from surrounding villages. The meeting was led by local committee member Rakesh Mehta and presided over by state committee member Sanjay Chauhan.

They resolved to join the nationwide strike on February 12 and prepare for the HAGA Kotkhai conference on February 23.

Addressing the gathering, Chauhan said farmers and orcha...