Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, May 31: Citing repeated hailstorm-induced losses and mounting debt among farmers, the Fruit Growers Association of Prichoo in South Kashmir’s Pulwama today urged the Government to immediately implement a comprehensive crop insurance scheme in J&K to safeguard orchardists from financial distress.
Addressing a press conference, association president Javid Ahmad said repeated weather-related damage in recent years had exposed the vulnerability of apple growers, particularly in the absence of an insurance mechanism to compensate for crop losses.
“Fruit growers have been urging the J&K Government and the Central Government for more than five years to introduce a crop insurance scheme, especially for apple orchards, but the demand remains unaddressed,” Ahmad said.
He said several hailstorm incidents this year alone damaged orchards in major apple-producing areas of Shopian, Pulwama and the hilly areas of Budgam.
“Last year too, many areas suffered hailstorm damage. This year, South Kashmir has witnessed nearly five hailstorm incidents, causing significant losses to growers,” he said.
Ahmad said most orchardists invest heavily in orchard management through loans and borrowings, expecting to repay debts after the harvest season.
However, repeated crop losses have left many struggling to recover their investments, he said.
“The hailstorms have broken the backbone of people associated with agriculture and horticulture. Farmers take loans and make substantial investments with the hope of earning returns from their produce, but weather-related losses are making it increasingly difficult for them to sustain their livelihoods,” he said.
Calling crop insurance a necessity for the horticulture sector, Ahmad urged the Government to take immediate steps to protect growers from mounting financial losses and indebtedness.
The association also sought large-scale subsidies for anti-hail nets, saying the protective infrastructure could significantly reduce crop damage caused by extreme weather events.
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