Srinagar: Minister for Agriculture Production, Javed Ahmad Dar, has announced that 3,145 orchardists have received relief amounting to Rs 87.98 lakh under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) through the District Administration, Shopian.
The Minister made this statement in response to a question raised by Showkat Hussain Ganie in the Legislative Assembly.
He informed the House that a hailstorm had damaged apple crops in 24 villages of Zainpora Constituency during the harvesting season in September 2024.
A loss assessment survey was conducted by the Chief Horticulture Officer, Shopian, in coordination with the Revenue and Agriculture Departments. The report was submitted to the District Administration, Shopian, on 28 October 2024, recommending relief measures for the affected growers. The Minister assured that the disbursement process is ongoing and that all affected farmers will receive compensation.
He further stated that the government, through a dedicated committee, will assess the feasibility of providing benefits under the Crop Insurance Scheme and installing net facilities to protect apple crops from hailstorms and other natural calamities.
Shabir Ahmad Kullay raised a supplementary question on the matter.
