The cry for protection

The recent hailstorm that battered several parts of Kashmir has once again exposed the vulnerability of the Valley’s horticulture sector, the backbone of thousands of rural households and a major contributor to Jammu and Kashmir’s economy. Vast stretches of orchards suffered extensive damage just as fruit-bearing trees were entering a crucial stage of the season, leaving growers staring at massive financial losses and an uncertain future. For orchardists, hailstorms are not merely weather events; they are economic disasters capable of wiping out an entire year’s labour within minutes. The repeated occurrence of such extreme weather incidents also points towards a changing climate pattern that can no longer be ignored. Farmers who already struggle with rising input costs, unstable market prices and transportation challenges now face another severe blow. The government must respond swiftly and effectively. Immediate assessment of losses through joint teams of the Horticulture and Revenue departments is essential so that compensation reaches affected growers without delay. Relief measures should not remain confined to paperwork and official announcements. Timely financial assistance, soft loans, crop insurance support and waiving of interest on existing liabilities can provide much-needed relief to distressed families. At the same time, the crisis underlines the urgent need for long-term protective measures. Expansion of anti-hail net coverage, scientific weather forecasting systems and awareness among farmers regarding climate-resilient practices must become policy priorities. Horticulture cannot continue to remain at the mercy of unpredictable weather every season. Kashmir’s apple economy sustains lakhs of people directly and indirectly. Protecting orchardists is not merely an agricultural concern but an economic necessity. The latest hailstorm should serve as a reminder that climate resilience and farmer protection can no longer be treated as secondary issues.