Hailstorm ravages south Kashmir orchards again; growers demand insurance, compensation

By: Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar: Apple orchards in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district have once again been severely affected by a hailstorm, causing losses for local growers.

Farmers from various areas, including Sedow-Hirpora in Shopian district and DH Pora in Kulgam district in south Kashmir, informed the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the storm struck during a crucial harvesting period, damaging orchards and dashing the hopes of thousands of orchardists who depend on this sector for their livelihood.

Many affected growers, who have faced recurring weather-related damages over the years, have once again appealed to the government for immediate financial compensation and the long-promised implementation of a comprehensive crop insurance scheme.

“The storm was merciless,” said Nazim Ahmad, an orchardist from Shopian. “Our apples had already suffered damage earlier, and now, due to this hailstorm, we face further losses. We invest lakhs every year in fertilisers, pesticides and labour, only to see our efforts turn to ruin without any meaningful support from the authorities.”

Growers said the government must introduce a crop insurance scheme. They expressed their willingness to pay premiums annually if it guarantees fair compensation during natural disasters.

“We are not asking for charity,” said another grower. “We are ready to pay for insurance coverage. But the government must act now. It is heartbreaking to watch a season’s hard work be destroyed in a single night.”

Many demanded the waiver of loan interests for those affected in hailstorm-hit areas, saying that mounting debt burdens are worsening their plight amid consecutive seasons of loss.

“The absence of a crop insurance scheme has turned a natural disaster into a human crisis,” said a member of the Fruit Growers Association. “Over 8 lakh families in Jammu and Kashmir depend directly or indirectly on horticulture, which contributes nearly 10% to the Union Territory’s Gross Domestic Product. The government must act immediately.”

The association has called for the swift implementation of a crop insurance scheme and the deployment of teams from SKUAST-Kashmir and the Department of Horticulture to conduct on-ground damage assessments and ensure adequate compensation to affected growers.

The growers hope that this time, their pleas will be met with tangible measures rather than words. “If the government fails to act now, the backbone of Kashmir’s economy might break under the pressure,” warned a grower from Kulgam. “And with it, the livelihoods and hopes of lakhs of people hang in the balance.”

They have also sought the immediate intervention of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to address this crisis—(KNO)