Shopian, Jun 04 (KNO): In the wake of the recent devastating hailstorm that caused significant damage to crops in Chitragam area of south Kashmir's Shopian district, Minister for Agriculture, Javed Dar on Tuesday visited the affected fields to assess the situation firsthand and to express solidarity with the distressed farming community.
Speaking to reporters, the minister, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the government is making all possible efforts to implement a weather-based crop insurance scheme at the earliest to shield farmers from recurring natural calamities like hailstorms, unseasonal rains, and droughts.
"I am personally following its implementation. The Chief Minister is outside J&K and will be back within the next two to three days. Then the issue will be taken with him," he said.
Dar said the need for a comprehensive crop insurance policy has never been greater. "We are committed to ensuring that our farmers no longer face such losses without adequate financial protection. Work is in full swing to roll out a weather-based crop insurance scheme across the region," he said.
The minister said there are a few schemes on which work has already been done, but weren't implemented as no public government was in place. "There is a need to work upon a few more schemes," he said.
Dar assured the affected growers that relief will be provided through different available channels, including the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), agricultural relief packages, and departmental support programs.
"Our farmers are the backbone of our economy, and their suffering is our collective concern. The administration is here to support you. We will ensure that compensation reaches every eligible grower impacted by the hailstorm," he assured.
During the visit, several farmers narrated their ordeal, saying they had pinned their hopes on the current fruit and vegetable harvest, which now lies in ruins. They urged the government to fast-track compensation and implement the crop insurance scheme without delay.
“We have suffered heavy losses. The meagre compensation provided previously doesn't even cover the cost of fertilisers or pesticides,” said Abdul Hamid, a local orchardist. “What we need is a dependable safety net.”
The hailstorm, which struck Chitragam and surrounding villages earlier this week, damaged apple orchards, vegetable fields, and standing crops, leaving farmers in despair and raising fresh concerns over climate-induced vulnerabilities in the agriculture sector.
The agriculture minister directed the officials to conduct an immediate assessment of losses and submit a detailed report within days so that compensation can be disbursed without delays—(KNO)