The apple industry in Kashmir, India is going through a tough time. The apples this year are not as good because of a disease called fungal scab, changes in the weather, and problems with money. About 40% of the apples this year are not very good quality. The apple industry in Kashmir makes a lot of money and gives jobs to many people. But the weather has been strange, with rain and hailstorms at the wrong times, and this has made the apples smaller, worse, and less in number.
The weather in Kashmir has been getting worse in the past few years, and this has caused damage to the crops. It has also made it hard for farmers to move their apples around, because the only road to Kashmir gets blocked by landslides in winter. On top of that, apples from Iran are coming into India and this is affecting the market for Kashmiri apples. The government has also decided not to charge any taxes on imported apples, which has made the prices of Kashmiri apples go down.
The apple farmers in Kashmir have told the government about their problems and asked for help. They are also worried about bad pesticides being sold, which makes the disease spread in the apple trees. When the apple farmers don't make much money, it affects the whole economy because people don't have as much to spend. If the apple industry keeps suffering, it will affect everyone's lives.
In conclusion, the apple industry in Kashmir is having a hard time because of the disease, the weather, and money problems. The strange weather and transportation issues have made things even worse. The imported apples and the government's decision to not charge taxes have also affected the market and prices of Kashmiri apples. The government needs to step in and help the apple farmers in Kashmir.
Original news source: Kashmirβs famed apples face extreme weather and economic crisis (BBC)
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Warm-up Activities:
– News Summary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. Each pair will read the article and then summarize it in 3-4 sentences. They should focus on the main points and key information. After they finish, they can share their summaries with another pair and compare their understanding of the article.
– Word Association
Instructions: Write the word "apple" on the board. Ask students to brainstorm and write down as many words as they can think of that are related to apples. After a few minutes, have students share their words with the class and explain the connections. This activity will help expand their vocabulary and encourage creative thinking.
– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: Ask students to think about the challenges faced by the apple industry in Kashmir based on the information in the article. Then, pair them up and have them discuss their thoughts with their partner. After a few minutes, bring the class back together and have a few pairs share their ideas with the whole class. This activity promotes critical thinking and encourages students to express their opinions.
– Sketch It
Instructions: Divide the class into groups of three or four. Each group will choose a scene or event from the article and create a sketch or drawing to depict it. They should focus on capturing the main details and ideas. After they finish, have each group present their sketch to the class and explain their interpretation. This activity encourages creativity and visual representation of information.
– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into two groups. One group will brainstorm the pros of the apple industry in Kashmir, while the other group will brainstorm the cons. Give them a few minutes to come up with their ideas, and then have them share their lists with the class. Afterward, facilitate a class discussion where students can debate and discuss the positive and negative aspects of the apple industry in Kashmir. This activity encourages critical thinking and oral communication skills.
π€ Comprehension Questions:
The apple industry in Kashmir is facing difficulties because of a disease called fungal scab, changes in the weather, and problems with money.
The weather in Kashmir has been strange, with rain and hailstorms at the wrong times. This has made the apples smaller, worse, and less in number.
It is difficult for farmers to transport their apples in Kashmir because the only road to Kashmir gets blocked by landslides in winter.
Apples from Iran coming into India have affected the market for Kashmiri apples by creating more competition.
The government has decided not to charge any taxes on imported apples, which has made the prices of Kashmiri apples go down.
The apple farmers in Kashmir are concerned about bad pesticides being sold, which makes the disease spread in the apple trees.
When the apple farmers don't make much money, it affects the whole economy because people don't have as much to spend.
The government should step in and help the apple farmers in Kashmir by providing financial support, improving transportation infrastructure, and regulating the sale of pesticides.
π§βοΈ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
The apple in Kashmir, India is going through a tough time. The apples this year are not as good because of a disease called fungal scab, changes in the weather, and problems with . About 40% of the apples this year are not very good quality. The apple industry in Kashmir makes a lot of money and gives jobs to many people. But the weather has been , with rain and hailstorms at the times, and this has made the apples smaller, worse, and less in . The weather in has been getting worse in the past few years, and this has damage to the crops. It has also made it hard for farmers to move their apples around, because the only road to Kashmir gets blocked by landslides in winter. On top of that, apples from Iran are coming into India and this is affecting the for Kashmiri apples. The government has also decided not to charge any on imported apples, which has made the prices of Kashmiri apples go down. The apple farmers in Kashmir have told the government about their problems and for help. They are also worried about bad pesticides being sold, which makes the disease spread in the apple . When the apple farmers don't make much money, it affects the whole because people don't have as much to spend. If the apple industry keeps suffering, it will everyone's lives. In conclusion, the apple industry in Kashmir is having a hard time because of the disease, the weather, and money problems. The strange weather and transportation issues have made things even worse. The imported apples and the 's to not charge taxes have also affected the market and prices of Kashmiri apples. The government to step in and help the apple farmers in Kashmir.
π¬ Discussion Questions:
1. What is the apple industry in Kashmir going through right now?
2. How would you feel if you were an apple farmer in Kashmir?
3. Do you like eating apples? Why or why not?
4. What do you think is causing the apples in Kashmir to be of lower quality this year?
5. How do you think the weather has been affecting the apple farmers in Kashmir?
6. Do you think it is fair for the government to not charge taxes on imported apples? Why or why not?
7. What do you think the government should do to help the apple farmers in Kashmir?
8. How do you think the bad pesticides are affecting the apple trees in Kashmir?
9. How do you think the apple industry in Kashmir affects the whole economy?
10. Do you think the imported apples from Iran are a threat to the market for Kashmiri apples? Why or why not?
11. Why do you think the only road to Kashmir gets blocked by landslides in winter?
12. Have you ever seen the effects of strange weather on crops in your country?
13. How important do you think the apple industry is for the people in Kashmir?
14. What would you do if you were in charge of helping the apple farmers in Kashmir?
15. Do you think the government should prioritize supporting local industries like the apple industry in Kashmir? Why or why not?
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