Srinagar, Sep 02: National Conference (NC) on Monday expressed concern over the massive damage to orchards caused by cyclonic winds and torrential rain in many parts of Kulgam and Shopian districts of south Kashmir.
Calling for appropriate compensation for farmers and orchardists, the party’s State Spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar highlighted the heavy toll taken by the hailstorm, rains and strong winds on crops in Kulgam and Shopian. He said the severity of the losses demands immediate attention from the current administration.
“The adverse weather conditions have wreaked havoc on fruit and food grain production, severely impacting the livelihoods of numerous small-scale farmers who are in urgent need of adequate compensation for their sustenance,” he said in a statement.
The destructive weather conditions, Imran said, have caused significant harm to various crops such as paddy, corn, apples, cherries, walnuts and almonds, stripping trees of their vegetative parts and undoing months of hard work by farmers.
“The hailstorm has resulted in trauma for both people and livestock in the affected areas, as well as damage to houses and electricity transmission lines,” he said.
Dar added, “In light of the devastation suffered by farmers and horticulturalists, the divisional administration in Kashmir must step up to assist those affected. Immediate action is required to assess the losses incurred, particularly by cherry growers, to determine appropriate compensation that can be swiftly distributed to those in need.”
He said the compensation must be provided based on the Minimum Support Price (MSP) to ensure fair and timely assistance to those affected. “The Government of India must also implement the Crop Insurance Scheme in J&K without causing any further delay,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Mohamad Yousuf Tarigami has demanded immediate relief for the orchardists and peasants whose fruit and crops got damaged due to heavy rains followed by hailstorms in south Kashmir’s Kulgam and Shopian districts and other parts of the valley.
“The government must assess the damages immediately so that the affected orchardists and peasants are provided compensation well in time,” he said in a statement.
The CPI(M) leader said the non-implementation of the Crop Insurance Scheme in horticulture has caused distress among the orchardists. “The scheme will provide succour to the orchardists if implemented and will save the fruit growers in the event of losses suffered due to natural calamities,” he said.
