With apple crop losses, demand grows for insurance cover

As the apple harvest season progresses in Kashmir, which has been severely impacted by the prolonged closure of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway and erratic weather—there have been renewed calls from growers and traders for the urgent implementation of a crop insurance scheme, especially for apples.

Kashmir’s apple industry is the backbone of the Union Territory’s economy, accounting for 75% of India’s total apple production. Officials estimate that production this year could reach 21 lakh metric tons. However, delays in transportation, coupled with climate-related disruptions such as heavy rainfall and hailstorms, have caused substantial losses—intensifying demands for financial protection.

“We have long demanded that crop insurance be introduced in the Valley, so that when we face large-scale damage, we can get some relief,” said Nisar Ahmad Khan, a fruit grower and trader from South Kashmir. He emphasised that small-scale farmers, who invest their entire year into the harvest, are the most vulnerable and stand to benefit the most from such a scheme.

In recent years, farmers across the region have suffered recurring losses due to untimely snowfall, hailstorms, and infrastructure failures. This year, the closure of the Srinagar-Jammu highway—a lifeline for transporting apples to markets outside the Valley—left hundreds of trucks stranded for days, leading to spoilage and financial distress.

Javid Ahmad, President of the Pulwama Fruit Association, said several grower associations have approached authorities at multiple levels over the issue. “We even raised the issue with the Lieutenant Governor. While we were assured of its implementation, nothing concrete has happened so far,” he said. “We continue to wait for the day it becomes a reality.”

Ahmad added that the recent highway closure, triggered by heavy rainfall, caused losses worth crores of rupees to the industry. According to the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers-cum-Dealers Union, the horticulture sector suffered losses amounting to Rs 1,000 crore due to transport disruptions alone this month.

A senior official from the Department of Horticulture confirmed ongoing efforts to implement an insurance mechanism. “We have been trying to bring insurance companies on board, but have not yet succeeded. However, efforts are continuing, and we remain committed to the goal of securing insurance cover for apple growers,” the official said.

As climate change continues to make weather patterns more unpredictable, growers stress that crop insurance is no longer optional—it is essential to protect the livelihoods of thousands of families dependent on horticulture in the Valley.