As repeated hailstorms devastate Kashmir orchards; KVFGU seeks relief package

Ziraat Times News Desk

Srinagar, June 1: Fruit growers across Kashmir have reported extensive damage to orchards following a series of hailstorms and strong winds that have battered several horticulture belts across the Valley over the past two months, prompting renewed calls for a comprehensive compensation package and crop insurance coverage.

The concerns were raised by the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union, which said the latest spell of severe weather on May 30 caused significant losses in orchards across parts of south, central and north Kashmir.

According to the growers’ body, villages in Pulwama district, along with horticulture areas in Shopian, Kulgam, Budgam and Lolab in Kupwara district, witnessed extensive damage due to hailstorms and gusty winds. The union said several fruit-growing areas in Rafiabad, including Watergam, Lassar, Dangiwacha, Dandoosa and Hadipora, as well as horticulture zones in Sopore, Bandipora and Ganderbal, had also suffered losses in recent weeks.

Other major fruit-producing areas of Baramulla district, including Sangrama, Wagura, Kreeri, Pattan, Kandi and Tangmarg, were also affected by repeated weather-related incidents, growers said.

The union noted that recurring hailstorms and windstorms during April and May have damaged orchards across the Valley, leaving fruit growers vulnerable to heavy financial losses. It expressed concern that despite repeated demands, no comprehensive relief package, crop insurance scheme or Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) has been introduced to safeguard orchardists from weather-related disasters.

The growers’ body said the horticulture sector contributes nearly 8 per cent to Jammu and Kashmir’s economy and supports around 7.5 lakh families, besides generating substantial employment opportunities for youth.

Warning that repeated crop losses could adversely affect the Valley’s rural economy, the union urged the administration to take immediate measures to support affected growers.

Among its key demands, the organisation has sought declaration of the recurring hailstorms and windstorms as a national disaster, immediate implementation of a crop insurance scheme for the horticulture sector, reintroduction of the Market Intervention Scheme, announcement of a comprehensive compensation package for affected orchard owners, free distribution of anti-hail nets and waiver of Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loans for economically distressed fruit growers.

The union appealed to the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister to intervene and provide relief to thousands of orchard-owning families facing mounting losses and growing debt due to repeated weather-related damage.