Apple growers face massive losses, demand compensations
Srinagar: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, apple growers in south Kashmir have suffered massive losses after a sudden hailstorm ravaged orchards across multiple villages, with affected farmers alleging official apathy and lack of timely support in the face of repeated climatic disasters.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the hailstorm struck Kulgam and Shopian districts, damaging orchards spread across at least 32 villages at a critical flowering stage, wiping out what farmers described as a season’s worth of hard work within minutes. Eyewitness accounts from Nihama village said dark clouds gathered abruptly, followed by intense hail that lasted around half an hour but caused widespread destruction.
Local growers said their orchards, which were in full bloom just hours earlier, were left devastated as blossoms were knocked to the ground, drastically reducing prospects of fruit yield. A farmer from the area said he had recently inspected his orchard and was expecting a good harvest, but the sudden storm shattered those hopes. He added that despite watching the destruction unfold, there was nothing he could do to save the crop.
Farmers revealed that many had taken loans under the Kisan Credit Card scheme and invested heavily in fertilizers, pesticides and other inputs. They lamented that repeated weather-related losses in recent years have pushed them into financial distress, making it increasingly difficult to repay loans and sustain their livelihoods.
Reports indicated that villages including Nihama, Laisoo, Gudar, Manzgam, Watoo, Bathipora and Lakedpora in Kulgam, as well as Kellar, Balpora, Shirmal, Amshipora and Sedaw in Shopian, were among the worst affected. Growers from both upper and lower belts reported significant damage, with some areas facing near-total loss.
Representatives of fruit growers’ associations warned that without substantial financial assistance and compensation, the farming community would face severe economic hardship. Farmers demanded immediate compensation, loan waivers and long-term measures to protect orchards from recurring climatic shocks.
