Floods cost Rs 1565 cr to Kashmir horticulture JK govt mulls relief package for orchard owners, fruit growers Srinagar, Oct 16: Horticulture sector considered to be the mainstay of Kashmir economy has incurred an estimated Rs 1565 crore loss due to recent floods in Kashmir. The Horticulture department has submitted a preliminary report to Divisional Commissioner Kashmir and Secretary Horticulture saying that the horticulture sector in Kashmir has suffered a loss of Rs 1565 crore. Sources told Greater Kashmir that the Directorate of Horticulture is working on a package for rehabilitation of affected orchard owners, growers and others associated with horticulture. A senior official of the department said that Horticulture Minister, Raman Bhalla had last week called a meeting of horticulture department which was attended by various fruit growers’ and dealers’ associations in which measures and means for rehabilitation were discussed. “The fruit growers are demanding that state government should waive off their loans. The government is still deliberating on this demand,” he said. “However, the state government is mulling a package for horticulture sector which will include reduction in interest rates on loans already taken by growers under Kisan Credit Card scheme,” he said. He said state government may also announce moratorium of two-years on repayment of loans by the farmers. “Besides, the government may offer soft-loans to farmers for re-starting their businesses.” “The soft-loans will be given at the minimum possible rates probably at 2 to 4 per cent,” he said, adding that the government was awaiting assessment report from Horticulture department in order to take any further steps. Talking to Greater Kashmir, Director Horticulture, P K Sharma confirmed that the department has submitted an assessment report to the state government. “We have submitted the report wherein the post- and pre-harvesting losses to the horticulture sector have been estimated at Rs 1565 crore,” he said. Sharma said that it is a preliminary report which needs to be vetted by other agencies like the Revenue department in order to work out rehabilitation packages for affected farmers. Meanwhile, the fruit growers and dealers are demanding a comprehensive package for revival of horticulture sector. “Reducing interest rates on KCC loans won’t help as not many growers have taken loans under the scheme,” President New Parimpora Fruit Mandi Association, Bashir Ahmad said. He said the government should come up with comprehensive scheme for horticulture sector in order to revive the sector. To mention, the recent floods in Kashmir have badly damaged the horticulture sector. As per the fruit growers, apple production had been badly affected due to inclement weather earlier in the year, but now the rains and flood have proved to be the final nail in its coffin. From South to North Kashmir orchards have been washed off by the floods. Orchards in South Kashmir and several areas in North Kashmir like Tangmarg, Pattan, Sangrama, and orchards surrounding Wular lake like Zaingeer Rafiabad, Tarsoo, were inundated by floodwater which has not only damaged the crops but also wiped out the trees. Last year the apple export was recorded at Rs 4500 crore, however, this year as per the dealers the export figure will hardly touch Rs 1000 crore.
Posted on: Fri, 17 Oct 2014 04:57:16 +0000