B’la fruit growers urge for swift Implementation of ‘Crop Insurance Scheme’

Baramulla, Oct 03: Fruit growers in the apple-rich areas of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, are calling for the immediate implementation of the Crop Insurance Scheme (CIS) to mitigate losses caused by unpredictable weather conditions.
Fayaz Ahmad, President of Fruit Growers Association, Fruit Mandi Sopore, emphasized that the delay in implementing this crucial scheme leaves growers vulnerable to losses resulting from floods, hailstorms, and volatile weather conditions.
Despite facing significant losses over the past eight years due to various climatic challenges, including the 2014 floods, growers feel neglected as assurances from authorities regarding the CIS remain unfulfilled.
Expressing concern, Fayaz Ahmad alias Kaka Ji highlighted that while the scheme is applicable in other parts of the country, its absence in Kashmir poses a threat to the sustainability of the Rs 13,500 crore apple industry.
The fruit growers emphasized that unpredictable weather patterns, including hailstorms, heavy rains, and temperature fluctuations, make the CIS essential for the economic viability of the apple industry in Kashmir.
Feroz Ahmad, a fruit grower from apple town Sopore, stressed that insurance coverage would not only provide protection against losses but also make farmers eligible for loans and credit facilities from financial institutions.
In the current scenario, where farmers face challenges in repaying loans taken under the Kissan Credit Card (KCC) scheme due to weather-induced losses, the implementation of CIS becomes crucial.
Ghulam Hassan, another fruit grower from Rafiabad, shared his ordeal of suffering significant losses after a hailstorm destroyed his orchard.
While acknowledging that CIS might not fully compensate for the losses, he believes it could provide an opportunity for growers to recover from devastating weather conditions.
Fruit growers collectively urge the Jammu and Kashmir administration to intervene promptly and implement the Crop Insurance Scheme to safeguard the livelihoods of those dependent on the apple industry.
They said that the financial support and risk mitigation provided by CIS could play a vital role in sustaining Kashmir’s vital economic activity.