Hailstorm damages crop in Tral villages

Pulwama, May 11: Rains and hailstorm on Sunday lashed several villages of Pulwama district’s Tral area, causing damage to apple and other crops. At around 5 pm, the hailstorm hit multiple villages including Jawahipora, Darganiegund and their surrounding villages.

The farmers from the affected areas told Greater Kashmir that rains and hailstorm lasted for around 30 to 40 minutes causing damage to apple farms and vegetables in the area. Bilal Ahmad, a farmer from the area said that hailstorm caused around 10 to 15 percent damage to the crop in the area

According to the farmer, the pea-sized hailstones and rains caused damage to both the leaves and fruit. “Hailstorm reduces the quality of fruit and vegetables. Later, the damaged fruit is sold at dirt cheap prices in the market”, said Ahmad.

He said that in the absence of crop insurance, the farmers are facing recurring losses. Mohammad Rafi Malik, a well-heeled apple cultivator from south Kashmir’s Shopian district told Greater Kashmir that government should roll out a comprehensive crop insurance scheme. “ The government should also give an adequate compensation to the farmers”, Malik said. Pertinently, last month, hailstorm devastated dozens of apple orchards in the district.