By: Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar: As Kashmir received untimely snowfall in the last three consecutive years, the growers here have demanded implementation of crop insurance schemes besides waiving off interest on loans.
Growers from different areas of Kashmir said that there has been extensive damage in their orchards since the last three consecutive years due to untimely snowfall and hailstorm.
Nazim Ahmad, a grower from Shopian said that since the last three years, untimely snowfall has caused severe damage to their orchards as well as fruits due to which the produce has decreased.
He said that since the last three years they have not been able to earn a profit. “We are able to earn what we spend on spraying, fertilizers and labor,” he said.
He added that there is a need for implementation of crop insurance schemes so that if growers face any damage, they will at least get 50 percent of it back.
Bashir Ahmad, a grower from Dachnipora area of Anantnag said that in the last three years he has lost trees and fruits worth lakhs but if there would have been a crop insurance scheme, he would have at least received something, which could have helped him to start anew.
He said that the growers are ready to pay for insurance on a yearly basis if the government is ready to implement the crop insurance scheme.
The growers said that besides implementing crop insurance schemes, the government should also waive off the interest of loans taken by them.
It is pertinent to mention here that around 60 percent of population is directly or indirectly dependent on horticulture sector in Kashmir. (KNO)
