MLA Gulmarg, Mr. Farooq Ahmad Shah, has expressed deep concern over the extensive damage caused to fruit crops in various parts of Kashmir due to the recent hailstorm.
Describing the situation as unfortunate and distressing, Mr. Shah said that the hailstorm has severely impacted the livelihood of thousands of fruit growers, who form the backbone of Kashmir’s economy.
In light of this, Mr. Shah has urged the Hon’ble Minister for Agricultural Production, Mr. Javid Ahmad Dar, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, to explore the possibility of providing Anti-Hailstorm Nets to fruit growers. He recommended adopting the model followed by Himachal Pradesh, where growers receive up to 80% subsidy on Anti-Hailstorm Nets as part of a government initiative to protect horticultural produce from climatic disruptions.
“Horticulture is the lifeline of our economy and any damage to it directly affects the socio-economic fabric of the region. We need urgent and effective measures to protect our fruit growers from such recurring natural disasters,” Mr. Shah stated.
He further appealed to the government to consider this proposal as a long-term investment in the sustainability of Kashmir’s horticulture sector and to provide immediate relief to the affected farmers.
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