Shimla, Feb. 19 -- Himachal Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday expressed serious concern over the recent trade agreements with other nations, warning of a potential impact on farmers and orchardists in Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir too.

While addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Sukhu cautioned that these agreements would result in a surge of imported apples, walnuts, almonds and other horticultural produce, thereby placing immense pressure on local growers who may struggle to secure remunerative prices for their crops. He warned that the adverse consequences of such policies would become increasingly evident in the years ahead.

The Chief Minister underscored that agriculture and horticulture constitute th...