Hail, Rain wreak havoc on Kashmir fruit crops, growers demand relief

Srinagar, Apr 30:  Fruit growers in Kashmir have complained of incurring heavy losses due to recent heavy rainfall and hail storms in the Valley. They have requested the administration to constitute a team to assess the losses and provide assistance.

The long-standing demand for the implementation of a crop insurance scheme was also reiterated by the farmers during a meeting held by the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers cum Dealers Union on Tuesday.

In a statement, Union President Bashir Ahmad Basheer said the recent hail storms, strong winds, and continuous rains have created a flood-like situation, raising apprehensions of severe losses to fruit orchards and crops.

"It was unanimously resolved that the Lt. Governor's Administration of Jammu and Kashmir (UT) should kindly depute a team of experts from SKUAST (Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology) and the Horticulture Department to fruit orchards in all districts of the Valley to ascertain losses and recommend remedial measures to be taken so that the remaining crop can be saved from diseases," Basheer stated.

He emphasised that all members have strongly demanded the implementation of a Crop Insurance Scheme by the Lt. Governor's Administration of Jammu and Kashmir (UT).

Horticulture is a crucial sector in Kashmir's economy, with fruit cultivation being a major agricultural activity. Any significant losses can severely impact the livelihoods of thousands of farmers.

According to the statement, the long-standing concerns regarding exorbitant rates and exploitation by local cold storage and controlled atmosphere owners were discussed in detail once again. The chairman of the Union informed the attendees that the president of JKPICCA Lassipora has requested an urgent meeting to discuss and resolve these issues amicably. In light of this development, the Union concluded the meeting with the following resolutions:

"The Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers cum Dealers Union will meet with JKPICCA as requested to amicably resolve various issues related to charging of exorbitant rates by local cold storage and controlled atmosphere owners, and other related matters. A separate meeting will be held with pesticide dealers to address the supply of spurious pesticides and the fixing of fake MRPs on pesticide packages."

"The Union will create a YouTube channel to highlight issues concerning valley-based fruit growers and dealers on a need basis for their information.

Fayaz Ahmad Malik, President of the Fruit Association Sopore, was unanimously elected as the Chief Spokesperson of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers cum Dealers Union."

"The Union will take up the matter of immediate implementation of the Crop Insurance Scheme with the Lt. Governor's Administration of Jammu and Kashmir (UT). The holding of elections for the Union was also discussed, and Basheer stressed the need for Presidents and General Secretaries of all Fruit Associations to submit the list of their respective members to finalize the electoral roll as soon as possible and conduct elections, the statement said.

The meeting comes in the wake of concerns raised by fruit growers regarding losses incurred due to recent heavy rainfall and hail storms in the region. The Union has requested the administration to constitute a team to assess the losses and provide assistance to the affected farmers.