Weather Vagaries: Fruit Dealers Union express concern

Srinagar, May 26: Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union on Friday expressed concern over the damage caused by hailstorm to the fruit orchards in the valley.
Bashir Ahmad Basheer, Chairman Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers-Cum-Dealers Union who is also the President of The New Kashmir Fruit Association said the fruit Industry is the backbone of Kashmir’s economy and damage to this Industry is equivalent to damage to J&K’s economy.
“It is impossible to estimate immediate damage. However, according to initial reports, there are heavy losses in walnut and fruit orchards and growers are worried. We are concerned about this furious and heavy hailstorm. This year it also rained untimely. Due to which there is a possibility of scab in orchards and it has effect in orchards of many areas,” he said.
“Every year, fruit growers and dealers suffer heavy losses due to natural calamities. Since (90%) people in Kashmir are marginal growers and all their expenses depend only on income of their orchards and whenever these orchards are lost due to calamities they face even more difficulties,” Bashir said.
He also said that last year there were great difficulties in marketing of the fruit and they suffered heavy losses.
Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union Srinagar which represents all fruit associations of valley appealed Lieutenant Governor J&K that teams of Horticulture, Agriculture should be sent to fruit orchards to estimate the damage caused by the recent heavy snow, rain and heavy hailstorm.
He appealed the government to implement the Crop Insurance Scheme so that there is a relief in the event of minor calamities for the farmers.
“An aid package should be announced for fruit and vegetable crops affected by heavy hailstorm. It is hoped that the Government will consider our demand to protect the horticulture sector from further damage,” Bashir said.