Hailstorm Aftermath : Crop insurance scheme likely within two months in J&K: Minister Javed Dar
Tours hailstorm hit Rafiabad, assures relief to affected farmers
Srinagar: Minister Javed Ahmad Dar on Saturday said the government is likely to implement the crop insurance scheme in Jammu and Kashmir within the next two months, while assuring relief to farmers affected by recent hailstorms after completion of damage assessment surveys.
Speaking to reporters amid widespread crop damage caused by repeated hailstorms in several parts of Kashmir Valley, the minister said officials from various departments have already started visiting affected areas to assess losses suffered by farmers and growers.
“The department has been trying since yesterday to reach every affected area and conduct assessments. Once the final assessment is completed, relief will be provided to the affected farmers,” Dar said.
He said the government is also expediting the process for implementation of the crop insurance scheme in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the minister, the bidding process for the scheme is scheduled to begin on June 1, and the entire procedure is expected to be completed within one-and-a-half to two months.
The minister said the government has already made budgetary provisions for the scheme, under which the premium amount will be shared by the Government of India, the Jammu and Kashmir administration and farmers.
On the horticulture sector, Dar said the government is in touch with the Centre regarding a market intervention scheme for C-grade apples. He said a team from NITI Aayog had visited Jammu and Kashmir two months ago, during which discussions were held on fixing prices for C-grade apples to support growers.
On the delay in extending insurance coverage to apple crops, Dar said horticulture comes under a separate weather-based crop insurance scheme. He added that apples and saffron have now been included under the proposed insurance framework in Kashmir.
The minister said the government had been attempting to introduce the scheme for years, but the process was delayed due to poor participation by insurance companies during the tendering process.
“Last year also, the process had almost been finalized, but then the Government of India revised the insurance policy framework, forcing us to issue fresh tenders,” he said.
Dar expressed hope that the fresh tendering process would conclude successfully and the scheme would soon be implemented to safeguard farmers and growers from weather-related losses.
The Minister undertook an extensive tour of hailstorm-affected areas in Rafiabad constituency of Baramulla district to assess the damage caused to crops and orchards.
During the visit, the Minister conducted on-the-spot inspection of affected agricultural fields and orchards, where the standing crops and fruit-bearing plants have suffered extensive damage following the recent hailstorm and inclement weather conditions. He interacted with the farmers, orchardists and local residents, who apprised him of the scale of losses incurred and sought immediate government intervention.
Expressing deep concern over the hardships faced by the farming community, Javid Dar assured the affected families that the government remains fully committed to support them during this challenging period. He said that all genuine cases of crop and orchard damage would be thoroughly assessed and relief measures extended in accordance with government norms.
“The welfare of farmers remains the government’s top priority. Every possible support will be provided to mitigate the losses suffered by the affected growers,” the Minister said while interacting with locals.
He directed the officers of the Agriculture and Horticulture Departments to immediately undertake a comprehensive field survey and submit a detailed assessment report at the earliest to facilitate timely compensation and relief measures.
The Minister also instructed the concerned departments to intensify awareness campaigns among the farmers regarding modern crop protection measures, disaster mitigation practices and various government-sponsored schemes aimed at safeguarding the agricultural produce from weather-related calamities. He further stressed the need for ensuring maximum coverage of farmers under crop insurance schemes as per the prescribed guidelines.
Highlighting the increasing vulnerability of the agriculture sector to extreme weather events, Javid Ahmad Dar emphasized the importance of strengthening the crop protection infrastructure and improving disaster response mechanisms to minimise future losses.
Senior officers accompanied the Minister during the tour included Director Horticulture Kashmir Vikas Anand, Deputy Director Agriculture Kashmir and other officials from the concerned departments.
