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 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 facing multiple crises ranging from land dispossession and sealing of houses to shrinking government support. "Free trade agreements being signed by the Centre with various countries are against the interests of farmers and apple growers. Measures like the Seed Bill, weakening of MGNREGA, installation of smart meters and cuts in budgetary support under the Market Intervention Scheme are pushing agriculture into deeper distress," Chauhan said. Association office-bearer Sanjay Kumar recalled the earlier secretariat gherao and said sustained mass participation had forced the administration to act on several issues. He stressed that only organised and continuous struggle could protect the rights of farmers and orchardists. The meeting unanimously resolved to ensure active participation of apple growers in the February 12 nationwide farmers' strike in coordination with the Himachal Kisan Sabha. Local units were directed to intensify mobilisation efforts to ensure maximum turnout. In another resolution, the association announced to gherao the secretariat on February 19 to press for immediate redressal of farmers' and orchardists' demands....