Srinagar :A powerful hailstorm has caused widespread damage to apple orchards, vegetable crops, and standing fields across several parts of the Kashmir Valley, pushing the farming community into a severe crisis at a crucial stage of the agricultural season.
Haji Bashir Ahmad Naik, President of the Jammu and Kashmir Fruits and Vegetables Processing and Integrated Cold Chain Association (JKPICCA), expressed deep concern over the scale of destruction, warning that the losses could have long-term consequences for the region’s horticulture sector as well as its storage and processing supply chain.
In a statement, Naik urged the National Conference-led administration in Baramulla to immediately deploy assessment teams to the hailstorm-hit villages. He called on the Chief Agriculture Officer and Chief Horticulture Officer to conduct on-ground visits and prepare a detailed damage assessment report without delay.
He stressed that the report is essential not only for determining compensation for affected farmers but also for planning interventions in the cold chain and processing sectors, which are likely to face reduced yields this season.
Naik also appealed for enhanced relief assistance for affected families, noting that thousands of households dependent on horticulture and agriculture now face serious livelihood risks. He expressed hope that the administration would act swiftly and sensitively to support growers and associated industries during this challenging time.
