India - Hailstorm destroys apple crops in Shimla

03.05.2019 1320 views
Intermittent rain and thunderstorms accompanied by hail and lightning lashed several parts of Himachal since last night while tribal areas received fresh snowfall in May today. Lightning struck state capital Shimla past mid-night with deafening noise and electronic gadgets like computers, modems, TV sets and other equipment were damaged in a number of households. Storm uprooted trees at some places and also blew roofs of kucha houses and caused extensive damage to standing wheat crop and stone fruit crops. A severe hailstorm accompanied by rain, lightning and thunder again hit Shimla this afternoon, bringing normal life to halt and forced people to rush indoors. Apple crops were damaged in upper Shimla areas while vegetable crops, including peas, tomato, beans and cauliflower, were destroyed in the suburbs of Shimla, said state president of Himachal Kisan Sangh Kuldeep Singh Tanwar. Widespread rain occurred in the region, while higher reaches in tribal areas and other mountain passes had another spell of fresh snow fall causing a sharp fall in the mercury. Intermittent snowfall was continuing in high altitude tribal areas and Kalpa, Pooh, Lippa Asrang, Rohtang and Kunzam passes and the adjoining areas. As a result, sowing of potato and peas has been badly hit in tribal belt. While the farmers, who have completed sowing, are worried that excessive moisture might destroy the seeds, sowing has been suspended in some other areas. The local Met office has predicted rain and thundershowers in mid and lower hills and rain or snow in higher hills at isolated places over the next three days from tomorrow. Source - https://www.freshplaza.com/
30.09.2026

Spain - Fruit supplier targets 30-45% growth with year-round supply strategy

Senda Fruits is heading into another edition of Fruit Attraction with a clear objective: to expand its market presence and aim to meet the needs of its customers all year round. 

30.09.2026

Corn Stocks Shock U.S. Market as USDA Finds 2.1 Billion Bushels in Storage

USDA found 2.095 billion bushels of old-crop corn in storage, far above trade expectations and adding new pressure to U.S. grain markets.

30.09.2026

Namibia - Small-stock insurance could cost N$45m per region

The government is considering insurance options for livestock and crop farmers, but the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform says the cost of providing cover across the country could be high.

30.09.2026

USA - Farm Aid Faces a Critical Delay as Growers Confront Rising Costs and Mounting Debt

Congress is weighing another $11.1 billion in farm aid, but payments may slip into 2027 as producers face rising debt, diesel costs and tighter margins.

30.09.2026

Nigerian tomato processor secures US$2.5 million AgriFI investment

EDFI Management Company (EDFI MC), through the European Union-funded Agriculture Financing Initiative (AgriFI), has signed a USD 2.5 million convertible-note investment in Tomato Jos Inc., a vertically integrated tomato farming and processing business in northern Nigeria.

30.09.2026

Gene-edited non-browning bananas move closer to UK market

Gene-edited bananas designed to resist browning after peeling and slicing have moved closer to commercialisation in the UK after receiving precision-bred status in England.

29.09.2026

USA - 2,000 new reefers added alongside new transport routes

Great White Fleet Corporation (GWF), an ocean carrier specializing in temperature-controlled logistics, has announced a commercial expansion across its Pan-American and European trade networks. 

29.09.2026

UK - Rain delays grain harvest in northern Scotland and raises crop loss risks

Persistent September rains have significantly disrupted grain harvesting in northern Scotland. The most difficult situation is in Orkney and Caithness, where large areas of crops remain unharvested.