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Candidate drops out of B.C. Fruit Growers race

Vernon's Jeet Dukhia will focus on B.C. Tree Fruits Co-op instead
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Jeet Dukhia.

There won't be an election at the B.C. Fruit Growers Association convention.

Vernon's Jeet Dukhia has decided not to run for president against incumbent Fred Steele.

"I have my hands full," said Dukhia, who is president of the B.C. Tree Fruits Co-operative.

“I am weighing my options,” said the Vernon orchardist.

BCTF directors have made it clear that they want Dukhia to focus on the co-operative, which is responsible for packinghouses and marketing Okanagan fruit.

"We have a new chief executive officer and I have to work closely with him," said Dukhia, who is a former BCFGA president.

Dukhia and Steele have previously competed for the BCFGA's top job three times.

Steele, a Kelowna orchardist, has been association president for the last three years.

The BCFGA's annual conference is in Penticton Thursday and Friday.