India, Jan. 3 -- Despite the official claims, and consistent denials, farmers and fruit growers in the country are getting worried due to the spate of bilateral and regional free trade agreements (FTAs). The latest contentions arise from the FTA inked between India and New Zealand. The chief minister of Himachal Pradesh, one of the largest growers and exporters of apples, has expressed concerns, and said that he will write a letter to the prime minister. The FTA allows for a reduction of import duty on New Zealand apples by half, or 25 per cent, which may lead to higher influx, and cause local prices to fall. Despite the huge local production, apples are imported from 44 nations, with the largest being Turkey, Iran, and Afghanistan. Of th...