Shimla, Feb. 7 -- The Himachal Pradesh Apple Growers' Association (HPAGA) on Friday appealed to orchardists and farmers across the state to join the nationwide farmers' strike on February 12 and announced a secretariat gherao protest in Shimla on February 19.

The call was given during a block-level meeting of the association held in Jubbal, in Shimla district which was attended by executive members from village-level units. The meeting focused on the worsening situation of apple growers and farmers and outlined the next phase of the collective struggle.

Presiding over the meeting, Sanjay Chauhan, convener of the Sanyukta Kisan Manch and president of the Himachal Pradesh Apple Growers' Association, said farmers and orchardists were facin...