Jubbal, Feb. 6 -- 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 made during a block-level association meeting held in Jubbal, Shimla district, and 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.

Sanjay Chauhan, Convener of the Sanyukta Kisan Manch and President of the Himachal Pradesh Apple Growers' Association, presiding over the meeting, said farmers and orchardists were facing multiple crise...