Growers demand compensation; authorities say will asses the damage
By Reyaz Ahmed, NAK,
Baramulla : Fruit and vegetable growers in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district have suffered massive damage due to stormy wind and hailstorm which lashed out valley on Monday.
According to reports from different areas of North Kashmir 30% to 40% produces of vegetables, apple and walnut crop has suffered heavy damaged here worrying the people associated with the cultivation.
The most affected areas in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district , Sopore, Sheeri Narwawe, Uskhura, Sangrama, Rafiabad, Pattan, Uri wherein the fresh vegetable crop and the blooming apple buds and walnuts blossoms have also inflicted huge damage .
Talking to News Agency of Kashmir, President of Baramulla Fruit Growers and Dealers Association, Ghulam Rasool Bhat said that 30 % to 40% apple crop was destroyed due to heavy hailstorm and stormy winds on Monday in North Kashmir.
“The concern department should send teams to asses the damage and state government should immediately provide financial relief to the affected fruit growers,” he added.
Fruit growers of valley were expecting bumper crop this season but hailstorm from last 48 hours have dashed their hopes.
Not only apple but the vegetable crops cultivated by the farmers in the Janbazpora area of Baramulla and Rafaibad told Kashmir Images that their vegetables have been badly damaged.
“Our vegetables have suffered massive damage as prices of vegetables are touching sky it is obviously big loss to us,” said Mustaq Ahmed Lone of Janbazpora.
He added that not a single government official has visited his damaged here.
When contacted Director Horticulture Nazir Ahmed Wani, he said that apple and walnut crop has suffered damage.
“We have deputed teams to asses the damage, however final report of the damage is awaited,” said Wani.
When asked that fruit growers have been demanding compensation against the loss he said, “We will look into it and compensation would be provided to those who have suffered loss,” said wani.
When Chief Agriculture Officer Baramulla Farooq Ahmed, told Kashmir Images that the vegetable crops in Baramulla district was damaged but ‘we can not call it the significant damage as the leaves will come out again.”