Kupwara, Oct 06 (KNS): Director General Horticulture Kashmir,Ajaz Ahmad Bhat today paid visit to various hail affected areas of the District Kupwara to assess the loss. The Director General was accompanied by DDC member Advocate Ulfat, BDC Chairperson Mr. Azad Ahmad Mir, Chief horticulture Officer Kupwara Tehsildar concerned and other officers of the Department. The team visited the worest hit villages of horticulture zone Kralpora and Vilgam including Rawathpora, Panzgam, Kalmoona, Panchkoot, Manzgam,  Sharekoot, Amargarh, Batpora.

Speaking on the occasion Director General said that his concerns and sympathies are with orchardists who had suffered terribly from hail storm on 03.10.2021. He also assured that the matter will be taken up with the Government and due compensation as admissible under SDRF will be provided. He further advised that farmers should shift towards HD cultivation as the same has protection against Hailstorm in form of anti-hail net. He further assured that the Government is committed to bring the fruit cultivation under Fasal Bima Yojna so that the farmers are well compensated and their incomes are stabilized. PRI members and orchardists of the area also demanded that the KCC loan of the affected orchardists should be waived off. Replying to that DG Horticulture assured that the matter will be taken up with the Government.

Later DG Horticulture met Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, who assured that a joint survey of the affected area will conductedjointly by the revenue and horticulture Department. (KNS)