Srinagar: CPI(M) leader and MLA Kulgam, M Y Tarigami has expressed serious concern over the widespread damage caused by the recent hailstorm to the horticulture and agriculture sectors in Kashmir.
He said the losses have hit apple growers and other farmers hard, threatening their only means of livelihood.
“The weather has wreaked havoc on our orchards and fields. In many villages, the damage is total. This is not just a seasonal setback, it’s a question of survival for thousands of families,” Tarigami said.
He criticised the lack of timely response from authorities and pointed out that the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), introduced in 2016 to protect farmers against such losses, has failed to take root in Kashmir.
He said that most farmers are still unsure whether crops like apples, walnuts or cherries are even included.
Tarigami said that the delays in compensation and the poor assessment process is also putting farmers at back foot. “Reports often fail to reflect actual damage, and the relief is either delayed or denied. This is deeply unfair to those who toil all year round in their orchards and fields.
He urged the government to provide immediate financial support to affected farmers and ensure a transparent, efficient process for compensation. “If we ignore their plight, we are betraying the people who feed us. The system must work for them, not against them.”
He also called on all concerned departments to come together and fix the long-standing issues in the implementation of the PMFBY in Kashmir. “We have a responsibility to ensure that farmers are not left alone in times of distress. Their struggles must not be ignored.”
