Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, May 13: The Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union today demanded immediate implementation of the Crop Insurance Scheme, revival of the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) and a comprehensive compensation package for orchard owners affected by recent hail storms and strong winds across Kashmir.
The Union said back-to-back weather events have caused massive damage to apple orchards in north, central and south Kashmir, dealing a severe blow to the Valley’s horticulture sector and threatening the livelihood of lakhs of families dependent on it.
According to the growers’ body, intense hailstorms and stormy winds that struck on the evening of May 12 caused “irreparable losses” in Tangmarg, Pattan, Wagura, Kreeri, Rafiabad, Baramulla and Bandipora districts of north Kashmir, besides the Kangan belt in central Kashmir.
Similar hailstorms had also damaged orchards in Shopian and Kulgam districts of south Kashmir three to four days earlier.
It warned that the destruction would affect not only orchard owners but also people associated with the horticulture industry, potentially triggering a wider economic setback in the region.
The growers’ body urged the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister to direct officials from SKUAST, the Horticulture Department and the Horticulture Planning and Marketing Department to immediately assess the losses caused by the recent weather events.
The Union alleged that despite repeated demands and budgetary provisions, the Crop Insurance Scheme for the horticulture sector has not been implemented so far, while the MIS has also not been revived.
It said climate-related disasters may be beyond human control, but the absence of a functional crop insurance mechanism has worsened the distress of fruit growers, particularly marginal orchard owners.
Highlighting the Valley’s dependence on horticulture, the Union said nearly 90 per cent of fruit growers in Kashmir are marginal orchard owners whose household expenses and livelihoods rely entirely on income generated from orchards.
“In the absence of crop insurance, marginal fruit growers are forced to shoulder significant losses whenever orchards are destroyed by natural disasters,” it said.
The Union said it had repeatedly approached the Government over the years seeking insurance coverage for Kashmir’s horticulture sector to provide relief to growers during natural calamities.
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