Another weather blow hits Shopian orchards

Shopian, May 22: An intense hailstorm in the wee hours of Friday lashed several villages of south Kashmir’s Shopian district, causing damage to hundreds of apple orchards and raising fresh concerns among growers already grappling with erratic weather conditions this season.

The hailstorm struck several apple-producing villages in the plains of the district, including Pinjora, Largam, Gagren, Kanipora, and parts of the Zainapora block.

Farmers told Greater Kashmir that the hailstorm lasted for 10 to 15 minutes, pelting orchards with hailstones and damaging fruit and foliage.

Muhammad Ashraf Wani, an orchardist and president of Fruit Mandi Shopian, said hail pellets had caused around 15 to 20 percent damage to the fruit.

“However, the actual extent of the losses can only be assessed after a detailed survey,” he said.

The latest weather event marks the third hailstorm to hit the district this season, adding to the anxieties of growers who fear further losses if adverse weather continues.

Fayaz Ahmad, an orchardist said the hailstorm caused significant damage to his orchard.

“The pea-sized hailstones caused substantial damage to my apple orchard spread over eight kanals. Both the fruit and leaves have been affected,” he said.

Many farmers in the area estimated the damage at between 25 and 30 percent and appealed to the authorities to conduct a prompt assessment and provide compensation.

The repeated weather-related losses have also revived demands for a comprehensive crop insurance scheme for the horticulture sector.

Tariq Ahmad, an orchardist from Shopian, said growers were increasingly vulnerable to climate-related risks but lacked adequate financial protection.

“Every year we face losses due to hailstorms, heavy rains or other weather events. There is no effective safety net for apple growers. If the government wants to safeguard the horticulture sector, it must introduce a practical and affordable crop insurance scheme,” he said.

Mitha Gatoo, a farmer and social activist, said repeated weather shocks were threatening the livelihoods of thousands of horticulture-dependent families.

“Apple cultivation is the backbone of the rural economy in many parts of Kashmir. When hailstorms strike, farmers are left to bear the losses on their own. Compensation, when it comes, is often inadequate. What growers need is a robust crop insurance mechanism that provides timely relief and protects them against climate-related disasters,” Gatoo said.

A senior horticulture official advised farmers to remove fallen fruit and leaves from their orchards and ensure proper drainage to minimise the risk of disease.

“There is no need to panic. Farmers should apply fungicides as a preventive measure, taking into account the spray schedule already followed and the prevailing weather conditions,” the official said.

Farmers said the latest hailstorm has added to uncertainty at a crucial stage of crop development.

They warned that continued spells of rain and hail could affect fruit quality and reduce returns later in the season.

Shopian is among Kashmir’s leading apple-producing districts and contributes significantly to the Valley’s horticulture economy, which supports thousands of farming households.