Kashmir Orchardists Knock on CM Omar’s Door After Hailstorm Havoc
Growers seek emergency compensation, crop insurance and revival of MIS as storms flatten apple belts
Srinagar: In the wake of widespread devastation caused by successive hailstorms across Kashmir, fruit growers have approached Omar Abdullah seeking an immediate relief package for thousands of affected orchardists whose crops and livelihoods have suffered severe damage.
In a representation submitted to the Chief Minister, Chairman of Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union and President of The New Kashmir Fruit Association, Bashir Ahmad Basheer, said a massive hailstorm accompanied by strong winds on May 12 wreaked havoc across several areas of Baramulla district, leaving fruit growers in deep distress.
According to the growers, the worst-hit areas included Sangrama, Wagoora, Kreeri, Pattan, Shouze, Mamoosa, Choker, Yall, Nehalpora, Kandi, Shaikhpora, Choondosa, Pachhaar, Tangmarg, Khairpora and parts of Rafiabad, where apple orchards suffered extensive damage at a crucial stage of the fruit season.
The delegation also pointed out that another hailstorm on April 18 had already battered orchards in Shopian and adjoining areas of Kulgam, including Kanipora Dal, Kanjiullar and Ramnagri, compounding the losses for growers already struggling with erratic weather conditions.
“We had spent lakhs on sprays, fertilizers and labour this season, but within minutes the hailstorm destroyed everything. Many apples were bruised and branches broken,” said Ghulam Mohammad Dar, an orchardist from Kreeri.
Abdul Rashid Wani, a grower from Pattan, said the repeated weather shocks have left orchardists financially shattered. “Every year we face some disaster — either hailstorm, untimely snowfall or drought. Without insurance and government support, growers cannot survive for long,” he said.
Another fruit grower from Rafiabad, Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat, said this year’s storm was among the worst in recent memory. “The damage is massive. The fruit has been hit at an early stage and the quality of produce will suffer badly. We fear huge economic losses this season,” he added.
The growers said the repeated weather shocks have crushed hopes of a productive fruit season this year, particularly in Kashmir’s prime apple-producing belts known for high-quality varieties. They said fruit-bearing trees were damaged extensively while standing crops and orchard infrastructure also suffered heavy losses.
“Horticulture is the backbone of Jammu and Kashmir’s economy and lakhs of families are directly or indirectly dependent on this sector for survival,” the representation stated, warning that repeated climate-related disasters are pushing orchardists towards financial uncertainty.
The growers expressed concern that despite repeated assurances regarding implementation of a Crop Insurance Scheme for horticulture during 2025-26, the sector still remains outside any meaningful insurance protection. They said the absence of a proper safety net leaves orchardists vulnerable to recurring natural calamities.
The delegation also demanded restoration of the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for fallen and C-grade apples, saying the scheme was essential to protect growers from complete financial collapse during disaster-hit seasons.
Seeking urgent intervention, the fruit growers urged the government to immediately announce a comprehensive compensation package, implement a full-fledged Crop Insurance Scheme for horticulture crops and revive the MIS to support affected orchard owners across the Valley.
