Sopore, May 23 (KNS); Expressing alarm over fresh hailstorms, the president of Asia's second-largest fruit mandi in Sopore on Saturday called upon the Jammu and Kashmir government to declare 2026 a "disaster year" for the horticulture and agriculture sectors, warning that thousands of growers face financial ruin without urgent relief.
Fayaz Ahmed Malik, president of the Sopore Fruit Mandi, told reporters that the horticulture sector sustains nearly 75 per cent of the region's population, with around 12.5 lakh families dependent on it.
He said hailstorms in the last 20-25 days have caused 100 per cent damage in Kulgam, Shopian, Kriri, Wangura, Tangbarak, Kundhar, Andargam and Lolipora. He added that parts of Bandipora — including Matarigam, Dardpora and Sumlar — along with several villages in Rupiabad, Zangem and Barampora have suffered up to 90 per cent crop loss.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Malik alleged that the weather-based crop insurance scheme, announced by the government, has not been implemented since March, leaving affected growers with no compensation.
He also demanded the rollout of the MIS scheme for C-grade apples and a waiver of Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loans up to Rs 3 lakh.
"In other states, farmer loans are waived before elections, but that has not happened in J&K," Malik said, appealing to the Chief Minister, the Agriculture Minister and the central government to declare 2026 a disaster year.
He warned that marginal growers with 500 to 2,000 boxes are now debtors to banks and private lenders. "If compensation is not given, people may be forced to take extreme steps. Poor families are associated with this sector. They must get relief in any case," he added. (KNS)