Expressing serious concern over the damage caused to paddy saplings and apple orchards due to recent heavy hail storm across Valley, CPI (M) State Secretary Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami has reiterated his demand for introduction and implementation of Crop Insurance Scheme (CIS) in Jammu and Kashmir.

In a statement, Tarigami said the scheme will save the fruit growers and agriculturists in the event of losses suffered due to natural calamities. After meeting delegations of horticulturists and agriculturists from Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam and Budgam at his residence, Tarigami urged the government to initiate and expedite assessment of losses of fruit growers and farmers, and compensate them on account of these losses suffered due to torrential rains and hail storm.

He said the peasants have suffered extensive damage to their paddy sapling and apple orchards due to vagaries of weather and in such situations, the grower community looks forward for support and it becomes an obligation for the government to come to their support and succor.

The CPI (M) leader said that not only the calamities affect crops, but the Crop Insurance Scheme would have covered the crops rotten due to various diseases by virtue of which the farmers in the state experience extensive financial damages every year. Tarigami assured the peasant delegations that he will surely raise their issue in coming Assembly session representing all the concerns shown by the farmers, horticulturists and agriculturists. He asked the government that it should also come up with details on steps taken to waive off the interest on the agricultural/horticultural loans in view of the damages caused to these sectors due to heavy rains and hail storm.

He demanded that the government should provide details about steps taken to impose ban on the import and sale of sub-standard chemical fertilizers and pesticides; the use of which has proved very harmful to the fruit and crops.

Source - http://www.risingkashmir.com/