Late last week, the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers cum Dealers Union expressed concern over the damage caused by hailstorm to the fruit orchards in the valley. Chairman Bashir Ahmad Basheer, who is also the President of the New Kashmir Fruit Association, said the fruit Industry is the backbone of Kashmir's economy and damage to this Industry is equivalent to damage to J&K’s economy.
He stated: “Every year, fruit growers and dealers suffer heavy losses due to natural calamities. Since (90%) people in Kashmir are marginal growers and all their expenses depend only on income of their orchards and whenever these orchards are lost due to calamities they face even more difficulties.”
According to risingkashmir.com, he also said that last year there were great difficulties in marketing of the fruit and they suffered heavy losses.
Fruit farmers have requested the J&K government to include the horticulture and agricultural sectors in the Crop Insurance Scheme. The fruit producers voiced concern over losses and hoped that the government would offer financial aid to help them recover from losses.
Source: greaterkashmir.com