Apply growers in the Valley are staring at huge losses as massive damage has been reported to orchards due to an untimely snowfall.
With the sudden closure of the Srinagar-Jammu national highway due to snowfall and landslides, the fruit growers of Kashmir may not be able to cash in on the festival season as hundreds of apple-laden trucks remain stranded at various places along the highway.
Apple growers say they will incur huge losses if the fruit does not reach the markets outside ahead of Diwali.
“Most of the growers had loaded their fruit on to the trucks with the hope that it would reach markets before Diwali and Chhath Puja. As the highway remains closed, there are fears that the fruit may perish before reaching the markets,” Fayaz said.
With many apple orchards being damaged due to unexpected snowfall in Kashmir, a preliminary estimate by the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) has said the losses to the fruit industry is in crores.
“Preliminary reports received from various fruit associations, including Anantnag, suggest that the losses of over Rs 500 crore have been incurred and irreparable damage has been caused to orchards,” the KCCI said in a statement.
The trade body appealed to the “whole community to stand behind our brothers in distress and extend support in whatever manner possible.”
While as the Kashmir fruit growers and various associations of fruit dealers have requested the Governor’s administration to evacuate the stranded fruit trucks on a priority basis, Adviser Khurshid Ganai has already issued directions to the horticulture department to immediately assess the losses suffered by the fruit growers and orchardists due to snowfall.
Shore up preparations for winter: Bukhari to govt
Jammu: PDP senior leader and former Finance Minister Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari has urged the Governor’s administration to bolster its winter preparations so that people in Kashmir do not suffer any inconvenience. “A few inches of snowfall has virtually pushed Kashmir to the stone age. The authorities seem to have been in a deep slumber as far as the weather department’s forecast is concerned,” Bukhari said, adding that the administrative inertia had caused a huge inconvenience to the public in the last few days. Regarding the huge losses suffered by the horticulture sector due to a sudden snowfall, Bukhari demanded an immediate assessment of damage caused to orchards. He urged the administration to disburse an interim relief to the affected orchardists and farmers till the final valuation was completed. He said it seemed that no concrete contingency measures were taken by the administration following the weather department’s forecast of rain and snowfall in the plains and hilly areas of the Valley. TNS
Festive demand from Valley
- American variety: Most sought after in Bengal and Bihar markets during festivals. A medium apple box fetches Rs 600 to Rs 700
- Delicious: Mostly sold in markets across North India. A box fetches Rs 800 to Rs 900
- Golden Delicious: A new variety in great demand across markets. A small box costs Rs 300 to Rs 400
- Red Chief: A new variety sold in small gift packs. A box costs Rs 300 to Rs 500
‘Assess losses due to snowfall’An early snowfall in the Valley has disrupted city life which is being talked about. No one seems to have noticed the extensive damage to the apple crop and fruit-bearing trees resulting in income loss. The state government must estimate and compensate the loss. Haseeb Drabu, Economist and former Finance Minister
