Farmers Call For Hybrid Varieties To Prevent Fall Deaths
Qazigund : As the walnut harvesting season begins across Kashmir, falls from tall and slippery walnut trees have claimed at least four lives of seasonal labourers.
Reports said the deceased were identified as Mohammad Maqbool Bhat of Qazigund, Ghulam Mohammad Ganai of Tral, Ashiq Hussain of Uri, and Hilal Ahmad Mir of Pulwama, all of whom succumbed to severe injuries sustained while harvesting or threshing walnuts.
The tragic incidents have brought into focus the critical lack of safety equipment like helmets and harnesses during the harvest. Studies show workers face extreme risks of spinal and head trauma, prompting farmers to demand the introduction of shorter hybrid walnut trees. Local growers noted that replacing old, tall trees with hybrid varieties would lower mortality rates and improve yields, while also urging the government to reduce the five per cent GST on walnuts and curb imported varieties to support the local market.
