Storm of neglect

The hailstorms have once again ravaged orchards across Kashmir, leaving the region’s farmers reeling under heavy losses. Apple blossoms shredded, walnut buds bruised, and cherry crops battered are not just agricultural damages, but financial and emotional devastations for thousands of families, depending solely on horticulture for their survival. What adds insult to injury is the systemic failure to provide timely relief and support. Despite the much-publicized launch of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) in 2016, aimed precisely at protecting farmers from such natural calamities, its presence in Kashmir remains minimal, more in name than in practice. Most orchardists are unaware whether their crops are even covered under the scheme. Many have never been approached by insurance agents, and few know the procedure for filing a claim. This is not just a communication gap; it is a policy failure. Agriculture in Kashmir is not just an occupation—it is a lifeline, a cultural identity, and the backbone of the local economy. Yet, year after year, hailstorms, untimely rains, and climate volatility put this sector in jeopardy while policy mechanisms remain distant and disjointed. The government cannot keep offering sympathy without substance. Compensation and insurance are not favors—they are entitlements in a system that claims to care for its farmers. If schemes like PMFBY are to have any credibility, they must serve the most vulnerable, not bypass them. The storm may have passed, but its damage remains. Let not bureaucratic indifference make it worse.