12.11.2018

Mexico - Jalisco farmers seek help after Hurricane Willa’s rain destroyed their crops

Three days of torrential rain brought by Hurricane Willa last month destroyed crops worth at least 100 million pesos (US $5 million), according to the mayor of a Jalisco municipality. Jorge Luis Tello García said that more than 700 hectares of pineapple, papaya, chile, corn, tomatillo and sorghum crops were damaged by the heavy rain that fell between October 22 and 24 in Tomatlán, a coastal municipality south of Puerto Vallarta. Willa slammed into the coast of southern Sinaloa on the evening of October 23. Among the affected farmers in Tomatlán are 20 women who belong to an all-female senior citizens’ agricultural collective that grows pineapples. Two members, Engracia and Adelina, told the newspaper El Universal that they lost their entire four-hectare crop due to the hurricane because they couldn’t access their land to save it. “It rained and rained for three days, the rivers swelled, the roads were cut off . . . We couldn’t get there until Saturday [October 27], we cut the pineapples and took them to Guadalajara but they were no good, they’d rotted and the market returned them to us,” Engracia said. They are among about 1,000 farming families in the region who lost their crops but have been unable to access government compensation because state Civil Protection services ruled that there wasn’t sufficient damage to declare a state of disaster. Engracia and Adelina, accompanied by Mayor Tello García, traveled to Guadalajara to report the situation to state authorities. The mayor said he believes that Governor Aristóteles Sandoval is not aware of the situation because following past natural disasters, such as Hurricane Patricia in 2015, assistance was provided immediately. “What we want is for them to make insurance available for the farmers, for them to help us,” Tello explained. Without government assistance, Adelina said, the members of the women’s collective won’t be able to plant more pineapples. “. . . Half of what we make we share and the other half we use to produce again but now it’s over,” she said. Adelina explained proudly that one hectare of well-tended land can yield up to 80 tonnes of pineapples. Asked how much the collective had lost due to the loss of its crop, she responded: “In money? Well, you do the math, they pay us five pesos per kilo.” Source - https://mexiconewsdaily.com

09.11.2018

Europe - Potato harvest at least 20 percent lower

The total potato harvest in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and France in 2018 will be at least 20 percent lower than last year, according to the latest estimates of the North-western European Potato Growers (NEPG). The harvest for continental Europe will end up significantly below 20 million tonnes. The estimated potato production is only based on continental Europe. Results for Great Britain - where the potato harvest is still in full swing - are expected close to the end of the year. Once the GB data are available the NEPG will provide another update that also includes the GB estimates. Large variations in yield In all four countries the variation is enormous. First of all there is a major difference between irrigated fields and non-irrigated fields. But there are also large differences depending on potato variety, region and field. Measurements suggest yields may range from as low as 18 tonnes/ha to as high as 80 tonnes/ha. The average yield in the four countries is 13,1% lower than the 5-year-average. Acreage in these four countries was up 1 percent to 595,587 hectare. Lowest yields in Belgium In Belgium the yield estimate is 38.1 ton per hectare. This is 29 percent below the yield of harvest 2017 and 24 percent below the 5-year average. Bintje, the most widely grown potato variety in Belgium, performed poorly. But also more common processing varieties showed low yields. It should also be noted that only 3% of the total potato acreage in Belgium is irrigated. In the other countries yields were down between 14 - 20 percent Quality Issues Not only the overall volume is low this year, the tubers are smaller compared to other years. However, the most important quality issue is secondary growth, with associated low dry matter content of individual tubers (floating tubers in 1060 kg/m3 salt solution) and sugar ends. These issues show up in particular for potato variety Bintje. Other key varieties for processing and table market have similar issues, but to a lesser extent. These quality issues result in various disadvantages for growers, traders as well as processors. It results in higher costs due to extra handling such as additional sorting, washing and separating in a salt baths and due to the lower yield and losses as a result of high tarra and increased waste. The NEPG estimated that net yields suitable for processing and the retail market is extremely low, probably the lowest it has been in the last ten years High potato prices expected Demand for potatoes for processing has increased steadily since 2012 as a result of increased installed capacity. Given the low availability of potatoes it is clear that the current price for potatoes that are not under contract is high and is expected to stay high for the entire season. Challenging potato season ahead Growing season 2019 may be another season full of challenges. Availability of sufficient seed potatoes has been raised as a potential issue for next season. According to insiders, the volume of seed potatoes available might only be just enough. Worse, for the very early potato varieties a seed potato shortage is expected. More potato growers in Belgium are expected to grow newer potato varieties instead of Bintjes and therefore need an increasing share of these varieties. Finally, since the processors will run out of their current stock early, next processing season might actually last 13 months instead of 12. This not only requires a large volume but also also an early (and therefore risky) start of the cultivation of early varieties. The drought of last summer still has some lingering effects: Water management authorities in the Netherlands say there is still a considerable water deficit and that 600 - 700 mm of rain is required to bring it back to somewhere near normal. This raises the probability of potential limitations to irrigation in the upcoming season. Also, meteorologists say that it is very well possible that next summer will dry and hot again. The North-western European potato growers note that the use of crop protection products is subject to additional limitations, increasing costs and risks for the potato growers. North-western European Potato Growers (NEPG): “All together, this means that growers can not be dismissed with a meager 1 eurocent contract price increase for the main harvest.” “It should also be considered that potato growers likely will reduce their tonnes/ha commitment in their contracts.” “Especially in Belgium, growers got burned.” The NEPG states it sees indications of a significant price increase in the contracts for early potatoes. North-western European Potato Growers (NEPG): “We hear rumors in Germany that the contract prices for the early potato varieties are going up by about 3 eurocent per kilogram.” “But it is all up to the potato processing companies! They control the seed potatoes.” Source - https://www.potatopro.com/

09.11.2018

Vietnam - Sugarcane farmers suffer loss of $643 per hectare

Nguyen The Tu, Deputy Head of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Phung Hiep district in the Mekong delta province of Hau Giang, said yesterday that a sugarcane fetched VND500-650 a kilogram while production cost is VND715 a kilogram; accordingly, a farmer sold at a loss of VND15-20 million ($643-$858). This year flood came back early in the delta , hence, sugarcane quality of sugarcane in the region were badly being affected. Farmers are speeding up harvesting when flood ebbed. All sugarcanes in 7,500 hectares will be harvested in December. Can Tho Sugarcane Company said its two plants in Vi Thanh and Phung Hiep have been buying 5,000 tons of sugarcanes a day. Presently, the company is buying sugarcane quickly as its plants just are operating at 80 percent of its full capacity; however, there is a severe shortage of workforce in the field. Since consumption of sugarcane declines, the city agricultural department decided to cut growing land from 10,600 hectare to 6,000 hectare for the next crop. Low-lying, inundated lands will be for growing more profitable trees than sugarcanes. Source - http://sggpnews.org.vn

09.11.2018

Spain - Expansion of greenhouse acreage in Eastern Andalusia

The acreage devoted to greenhouse crops in Eastern Andalusia has reached 35,489 hectares, 1.7% more than in the year 2017, according to cartographical data of 2018. Almeria, Granada and Malaga together have seen the acreage grow by 579 hectares, and this figure has been increasing yearly since the first study carried out in 2001. Last year alone, the protected acreage grew by more than 10 percentage points. As stressed by the Councillor of Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development of Andalusia, Rodrigo Sánchez Haro, Almeria accounts for 87.4% of all greenhouse facilities in these three provinces, with a total of 31,614 hectares. Meanwhile, Granada has a greenhouse acreage totaling ​​3,100 hectares; a figure that maintains or slightly improves last year's productive potential by adding 13 more hectares of protected land. Most of the greenhouses are located in the county of La Costa, with 2,847 hectares. Variation has also been small in the case of Malaga, with greenhouse acreage estimated at 775 hectares (down 14 hectares), especially in the Vélez-Málaga county, which accounts for 721 hectares. More than half of these are located in the municipality of Vélez-Málaga (369 hectares), followed by Torrox (178 hectares) and Algarrobo (95 hectares). Rodrigo Sánchez Haro emphasized that this analysis, based on satellite images, goes beyond mere statistical work. It has emerged as a fundamental source of information for both public administrations and companies. Source - http://www.freshplaza.com/

09.11.2018

Canada - Saskatchewan producers now being offered new livestock price insurance option

The Saskatchewan government announced Wednesday that Payment on Account is now available to livestock producers in the province through the Western Livestock Price Insurance Program (WLPIP). WLPIP provides producers with insurance protection when an unexpected drop in market prices happens over a specific period of time. Payment on Account is delivered in conjunction with the federal government, along with British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Payment on Account gives producers until the expiry of the insurance to pay the premium. “WLPIP is a good example of governments and industry working together to offer an innovative risk management tool that responds to the unique needs of the livestock sector, ensuring our hard-working farmers can continue to grow the economy and create good, middle-class jobs,” said Lawrence MacAulay, federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister. “Livestock price insurance is a good complement to existing business risk management programs, offering additional protection against market volatility.” WLPIP was introduced to Saskatchewan producers by Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corp. (SCIC) in April 2014, offering producers the chance to purchase price protection on cattle and hogs. “Saskatchewan livestock producers need the flexibility to make the best decisions for their cattle or hog operations,” Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit said. “Saskatchewan producers can now take advantage of this needed option of deferring a payment while continuing to participate in the price insurance program. Producers should consider this valuable risk management tool for their operation.” Saskatchewan livestock producers can purchase their premium up-front, online or in person by cheque at their local SCIC office, when buying their policy through WLPIP. “I am pleased to see the update to allow for payment on account for Western Livestock Price Insurance Program. This new flexibility keeps Saskatchewan cattle producers on an even footing with our neighbours to the west,” said Rick Toney, Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association chairman. “What many producers may not know is the good working relationship the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association has with Saskatchewan Crop Insurance who administer livestock price insurance. Pay on Account is another check mark made on a long list of improvements that have come from Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association and Crop Insurance working together to keep improving programs.” About $405,000 was paid out to cow and calf producers in the fall of 2017 and with the implementation of Payment of Account, SCIC expects this interest to continue into the 2018-19 program year. “It bridges the gap between Saskatchewan and Alberta producers on payment options,” said Jordan Kowal, Saskatchewan Cattle Feeders Association president. “It gives producers more payment options that fit the needs of their operations.” Price insurance can be bought year-round while coverage is available for cattle intended for sale 12 to 36 weeks from the day of policy purchase. Policies are available for purchase every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday while price insurance for calves will be available for purchase again in February 2019. Source - https://globalnews.ca

09.11.2018

Canada - Cold weather damages half of Alberta crops as farmers wrap up harvest

It was a rough start to harvest for Alberta farmers, but officials in the province say most farmers are done for the season. Harry Brook is a Crop Specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, and he says around 95% of the crops are finally in the bin. But he says, although they are thankful the weather created an opportunity to finish, it was still bad news. “Taken the crop off and getting in the bin is one thing. You can heave a sigh of relief and say ‘thank God it’s off’, but then it’s asked, what did the weather do to the crop when it’s out there? And we are seeing quite a bit of the crop has been damaged due to cold conditions, which means you’re probably looking at around 50% loss of value in the crop.” Brook says that wintery weather early in the fall wreaked havoc on local farmers. “It was a consistent weather pattern that hung on for six weeks, and then all of a sudden we got lovely weather… you could almost audibly hear the gasp of farmers saying, ’Thank God it’s come!’ So now we’re up around 95% provincially, and it’s pretty consistent across the board.” Provincially, crop quality for all types of crops is below their 5-year averages, with the exception of malt barley and the top two grades of durum wheat and dry peas, which are above their 5-year averages. In recent years, harvest progress was wrapped up by this time of the year, with the exception of 2016 when it was delayed even worse than 2018. Source - https://lacombeonline.com

09.11.2018

India - Anantnag alone lost 1.5 million apple trees to snow

The south Kashmir Anantnag district has lost 15 lakh apple trees to the early wet snow blanket that froze Kashmir for three days, official sources revealed. The district has suffered serious damage on 6000 hectares of orchards against the total horticulture space of 20,000 hectares. Deputy Commissioner shared the startling statistics with the visiting adviser of the governor, Khursheed A Ganai. “The DDC informed that 21 Kacha residential houses and 71 Pacca houses were damaged partially and tentative damage report of Horticulture Sector has been prepared which shows 6000 hectares out of 20000 hectares under fresh plantation has been damaged,” an official spokesman said. “15 lac trees have been damaged due to recent heavy snowfall.” “We have more than 71 lakh fruit-bearing trees and this assessment is quite preliminary,” Mohammad Younis Malik, the DC, said later. “It will take us some more time to get the exact status of loss.” He said the youngest and the oldest trees were hardly hit. “It is not crop loss, it is a loss to the trees which is devastating to the growers,” Malik said. The Advisor directed Horticulture Director and Chief Horticulture Officer to deploy scientists and experts to assess the losses including future fruit-bearing capacity and age factors of partially damaged trees.  Besides, he also stressed on technical support by the experts for binding of damaged trees for their recovery. He also directed SE PDD to ensure restoration of electricity in the district by tomorrow positively. He stressed upon all departments to be prepared and keep men and machinery ready to tackle any situation arising due to inclement weather conditions and ensure prompt restoration. Source - https://kashmirlife.net

08.11.2018

Spain - Mosquitos interrupt citrus harvest in Castellon

Unbearable. This is how the situation suffered by pickers of the Plana Baixa is described. Municipalities in the region have been hit hard by a 'mosquito explosion' that has made it necessary to stop the orange harvest campaign in the most affected areas, as pickers are unable to work without getting bitten multiple times by the mosquitos. The first consequence of this, according to the owner of some orange fields, is "that people are unable to earn their wages and, to top it off, they go home with half a hundred bites." He also warned that "we cannot delay the campaign because, otherwise, there will be overlap with other varieties, which will affect the growers." For their part, the two biggest Nules-based cooperatives acknowledged that the pest's rebound is causing "serious problems." José Manuel Ripollés, of Cipla, says that the complaints from the pickers are "constant", but without reaching the point of them not going to work. "The pest is hitting mostly the lower areas of the municipality, where the citrus orchards are located," he says. Moncofa is suffering similar issues. Producers stress that doing their usual job has turned into "an odyssey," since they are constantly covered by the annoying insects. To try avoiding them, they put on more clothes than normal and use repellents, but these hardly help, because the mosquitos usually appear in the form of clouds that contain hundreds of them. Source - http://www.freshplaza.com

08.11.2018

Canada - Heavy livestock losses after afternoon barn fire

There were heavy livestock losses at a barn fire outside of Mount Forest yesterday. Wellington County OPP confirm that Nov. 6, 2018 at approximately 1:30 p.m. members of the Wellington County OPP, along with Wellington North Fire Service responded to a structure fire on Sideroad 2 East, south of Mount Forest. It was reported that a barn was engulfed in fire. The structure is considered a total loss. No one was injured, but 250 goats, 2 horses, 20 rabbits and an assortment of equipment was lost in the blaze. The total estimate of damage is $1.5 million. The Wellington North Fire Services is currently investigating and the Ontario Fire Marshall’s Office has been contacted. Source - https://blackburnnews.com

08.11.2018

Canada - Summer heat wave produces smaller crop of Quebec onions

Mid-size onions from Quebec look tight on supplies this season. “We had extremely warm weather this summer. It was warmer than normal. So the effect on the onions was they’re smaller and the volumes are definitely lower than in a normal year,” says Mario Cloutier of Groupe Ethier Inc. in Mirabel, Que. In fact, this past July, the province of Quebec saw a severe heat wave of repeat days hitting 100+ºF temperatures that caused more than 70 deaths in the province. Short on spec Cloutier estimates supplies might be down as much as 20 percent compared to last year. “The sizing, 2 ¼ and 3 inches, this bracket of sizing is really really low and availability is really short. That’s the main size we use to pack 5lbs. and there’s a drop in volume,” he says. “There’s a lot of volume over and under specific requirements but in between where the major requirements are, it will be really short this season.” Given the hot and dry summer that was seen in Quebec, in July already, Cloutier saw this might be an upcoming issue. “I asked the chain stores to reduce their specifications. Otherwise we’d be short on supply so I had no choice,” he says. “And that ¼ inch, customers won’t see difference. It may be one more onion per bag for example.” Heat affected others too He notes that other regions see similar issues. “Ontario growers for example see this too. Growers on the East Coast of the U.S. also had the same climate we did and are having the same kinds of problems. So while demand is good and steady for onions, we won’t be able to supply it,” Cloutier says. “We’re getting calls from overseas in Germany and France to supply onions and we’re not able to.” Source - http://www.freshplaza.com

08.11.2018

Philippines - Typhoon Rosita crop damage seen at P2.6B

The damage to agriculture inflicted by typhoon Rosita (international name: Yutu) hit P2.60 billion, affecting 103,605 hectares of land in the Cordillera Administrative region and Regions 1 to 3, based on estimates issued by the Department of Agriculture (DA) Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center (DRRMC). Lost output was reckoned at 134,123 metric tons (MT), with 20,453 farmers affected. The greatest damage was sustained by the rice crop, with lost production worth P2.11 billion, affecting 86,215 hectares. The lost volume was estimated at 107,313 MT. Lost corn production was P83.18 million on lost volume of a 2,371 MT affecting 9,815 hectares. Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol said that storm damage could still increase over the remainder of the year as more typhoons traverse key agricultural zones. “It’s not going to be a rosy picture for 2018,” Mr. Piñol said in a briefing on Tuesday. Mr. Piñol said that the rice harvest this year is still expected to be higher than the 17.63 million MT produced in 2016, but less than the 19.28 million MT recorded in 2017. “Our projection for 2018 is 19.4 million MT, so minus 800,000 MT (to account for total storm damage for the year) brings us to 18.6 million MT — a million MT higher than 2016 but about 600,000 MT lower than 2017,” Mr. Piñol said. Production losses in high-value crops meanwhile totaled P379 million; livestock, P2.51 million, fisheries, P13.56 million, and agricultural facilities, P15 million. Mr. Piñol noted that farmers in Isabela did not insure their livestock, and has directed the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) to offer coverage. Source - https://www.bworldonline.com

08.11.2018

India - Untimely snowfall in Kashmir causes Rs 500 crore loss to fruit industry

Kashmir’s fruit industry has suffered a major loss of over Rs 500 crore because of Saturday’s untimely snowfall. In a statement, the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) highlighted the damage caused to apple orchards and trees. The KCCI is now seeking the adoption of ‘Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme’ (RWBCIS). Speaking to the Policy Times, the KCCI president, Sheikh Aashiq Ahmad said “the insurance scheme had been implemented in Jammu but not in Kashmir. The officials claim to have floated tenders for the insurance providers but there is no doubt that the Kashmir fruit growers are suffering because of failure on part of the state government.” “If the crop insurance had been there, the growers would have been secure. We have raised this issue with the Governor and are looking forward to him addressing our concerns” Mr. Ahmad added. Mr. Ahmad said that the real assessment in regards to the damages incurred by the heavy snowfall would be out in a couple of days. Meanwhile, the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology (SKUAST) has issued an advisory for the orchards affected by the untimely snowfall. The advisory asks fruit growers to drain out excess water from the orchards by making drainage channels. If the fruit trees have tilted, reduce the canopy load by pruning and provide proper support to the plants. It states to clear the snow off heaped harvested fruits and to store the fruits in sheds to prevent frost injury. The heavy snowfall has destroyed apple trees, slashed branches off trees and even uprooted trees. Source - https://thepolicytimes.com

08.11.2018

Australia looks to cyclone index insurance for agriculture

Farmers, insurers and researchers in Queensland, Australia have been working together on a new project to offer a more affordable alternative to multi-peril crop insurance, using index insurance to protect against natural disasters like cyclones. The project has been developed as part of the state government’s Drought and Climate Adaptation Program and aims to address the issue of low insurance take-up among farmers in Australia. Index insurance will allow farmers to insure against a specific weather event or natural disaster based around the perceived threat at their exact location, and should overcome the affordability issue that has plagued multi-peril crop insurance since its introduction in Australia four years ago. “Index insurance is … something that’s been done quite well internationally and it’s a different style of insurance,” Jarrod Kath from the University of Southern Queensland said. “It’s more targeted towards a particular climate risk – say cyclone or drought – and the farmer can set the level of insurance they want and pick the type of risks they want to cover,” Kath continued. “And because it’s more targeted and more focused on particular risks, it’s often quite a bit cheaper than something like multi-peril crop insurance, which covers a whole range of risks.” “We’re trying to figure out the particular climate or weather indexes that we could focus in on that could be tailored towards individual farmers’ needs,” he added. “And because they’re tailored and targeted, hopefully they’ll be cheaper. And if they’re cheaper then hopefully they’ll be more practical for farmers to purchase.” “When it comes to crop insurance the offerings are quite restricted,” said Ross Henry from the Queensland Farmers’ Federation, who has led the development of the new index insurance program. “So there is nothing available at the moment to cover the income stream for a farm that’s affected by a cyclone. There are other examples in the world, but in Australia we definitely don’t have that at the moment.” “There is a want in the marketplace but there’s a lack of understanding because it’s never been there,” he added. “The other side of that is that because the insurance market has never really played in this place in Queensland or in Australia, they don’t really understand what the farmers want, their needs, and how they want it to play out. “So there’s this gap, and that’s where we’ve been fortunate enough through funding to plug that gap and work in that space. So we can bring those two ends together, and we can see the success in that at the moment with cyclone insurance being developed through this project.” Source - https://www.reinsurancene.ws

07.11.2018

Italy - Whirlwind damages farms in central Italy (photos)

On Monday 29th of October 2019, central Italy was hit by a fierce whirlwind, which brought many farmers to their knees. This area is one of the best fruit and vegetable production areas in Italy. Some partners of the OP La Flacca, who are part of the AOP Luce consortium, experienced problems. The roofs of the greenhouses were blown off and in some areas they even completely fell apart. Months of work and investment were wasted, together with the vegetables ready to be harvested. One of the farmers hit by the whirlwind  said, “We were right in the middle of harvesting tomatoes and beans; in a few minutes, everything was gone. I lost all the money I invested in these last years. It will take 6 months to start working again, at least”. Some producers had just planted lettuce, which is a typical fall-winter crop in that area and unfortunately a large part of the produce was lost. The ‘fortunate’ farmers only saw the roofs of their greenhouses being violently taken off. Source - http://www.freshplaza.com

07.11.2018

Canada - Manitoba crop hail payouts increase in 2018

The Canadian Crop Hail Association (CCHA) says Prairie farmers are continuing to insure their crops at near record levels. 2018 was average for claims but endured higher than average claim payments. Claims produced insurance payouts of over $161million on over 11,200 claims in western Canada. Producer premiums totaled just over $264 million. In Manitoba total hail payments in 2018 were over $37 million compared to $22 million in 2017. Source - https://pembinavalleyonline.com

07.11.2018

India - 25-40% orchards damaged in southern districts

Javed Ahmad gently shakes off snow from the branches of apple trees in his devastated orchard in Shopian district. He is one of thousands of apple growers in southern Kashmir whose orchards suffered significant damage due to the recent snowfall. The early snowfall has spelt doom for apple orchards in all four southern districts of Kashmir—Shopian, Pulwma, Kulgam and Anantnag. A senior horticulture officer at Shopian said 30-40 per cent apple crop has suffered damage in Shopian. However, the damage is more than 70 per cent in far-off villages like Heerpora, Sedow, KaniporaBihrihalan, Padpawan and Reshnagri. Javed Ahmad said 74 out of the 100 trees in his orchard have been damaged. Gul Mohammad, a fruit grower of Heerpora village of Shopian, said many growers in the area had yet to harvest their crop and the snow caused much damage to it as well. The early snowfall has also caused a huge damage to apple orchards in the neighbouringPulwama district. The areas which were worst hit included Sangarwani, Below, Rajpora, Payar, Arihal and some other villages. Pulwama chief horticulture officer Rajesh Kotwal, however, said losses are still being assessed in the district. According to the chief horticulture officer Kulgam, 40 per cent damages have been recorded in the district. He said the worst hit villages are Manzgam, Kund, DK Marg, Yaripora and Kader. Mohammad Yasin, chief horticulture officer Anantnag, told Greater Kashmir that a damage of 25-30 per cent had been recorded in the district as per preliminary assessment. He said the areas where the orchards suffered significant damage are Mehand, Sirgufwara, Sallar-Kollar, Shalgam, Sirhama, Budur, Lever and many villages in Shangus and Kokernag constituencies of the district. The fruit growers have also become worried as most of the harvested crop still lies in their orchards. Source - https://greaterkashmir.com