Hailstorm hits Shopian orchards again, apple growers demand crop insurance

Shopian, May 13: A hailstorm swept across several apple-growing villages in south Kashmir’s Shopian  district on Wednesday, prompting apple farmers to seek crop insurance as repeated weather shocks continue to threaten their orchards.

According to reports the hailstorm affected at least 177 villages across Kashmir.

The storm affected Kanipora Dal, Kanjiullar, and Ramnagri areas of the district.

“The hailstorm started at around 5 pm and lasted for about two to three minutes,” said Abid Hussain, an apple grower from Kanjiullar, adding that the impact on orchards in the area was minimal.

Farmers from Kanipora Dal and Ramnagri  also reported little to no damage to their crops.

It is, however, second time since April when hailstorm lashed the apple-rich villages of the district.

On April 18, a heavy hailstorm caused significant damage to orchards in Shopian and neighbouringKulgam district, particularly at a time when most trees were in the flowering stage.

Farmers said that the absence of a robust crop insurance mechanism has left them exposed to financial losses.

“We are without a safety net. Any damage at this stage directly impacts our earnings for the entire year,” another farmer said, adding that unpredictable weather conditions have made apple cultivation increasingly uncertain and financially risky for growers.

Apple farming is an important part of Kashmir’s economy, particularly in the districts like Shopian. Farmers there have urged the government to introduce reliable crop insurance schemes to safeguard them against the rising frequency of weather-related losses.