Fruit growers in Jammu and Kashmir are calling on the government to introduce a comprehensive crop insurance scheme dedicated to apples, citing repeated financial losses from erratic weather conditions and natural calamities.
Chairman of the All Kashmir Fruit Growers Union, Bashir Ahmad Basheer, said unseasonal snowfall, hailstorms, strong winds, and heavy rain have caused recurring damage to orchards across the Valley. "Apple growers are facing huge losses every year because of unpredictable weather. We strongly demand that the government come up with a dedicated insurance policy for the horticulture sector, especially for apples, which are the backbone of Kashmir's economy," Basheer said.
He added that existing programs under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) do not address the needs of temperate fruit crops. "Existing schemes under PMFBY are designed for paddy and maize, not for temperate fruits. Our demand is for a specialised policy that covers damages from snow, hail, frost, and excessive rain, with fair compensation and timely claim settlement," he said.
Growers from key apple-producing districts such as Shopian and Sopore said that even one snowfall in October can destroy entire orchards. "One snowfall in October is enough to break branches and ruin the entire crop," said Ghulam Ahmad from Shopian. Mohammad Yousuf from Sopore added that a new system should be more transparent and data-driven. "We want a transparent digital system for assessment using drones and weather data. The compensation should reach us within weeks, not months," he said.
The growers have requested that the government subsidise insurance premiums, include coverage for transit and storage losses, and simplify enrolment through local banks and horticulture offices. "The fruit industry sustains lakhs of families in Kashmir," Basheer said. "A proper crop insurance scheme will not only protect growers from losses but also restore confidence in the horticulture sector." The Union has urged the Jammu and Kashmir administration to finalise the policy before the next apple season to prevent further economic losses.
Source: Greater Kashmir
