Hailstorm, rains cause heavy damage to cherry crop
Heavy damage has been caused to the cherry crop in the twin districts of Shopian and Pulwama with people complaining that government has failed to compensate them.
The continuous spell of rainfall and hailstorm has left large quantities of cherry crop damaged in the South Kashmir districts. Farmers fear downturn in the market due to the damages, ahead of the harvesting season for famous Mishri variety of the cherries. The shopian district produces heavy quantity of crop, and the Pulwama is picking up on the cultivation.In Shopian 750 hectares of land is under cherry cultivation and last year about 2900 metric tonnes was produced from the district. The farmers were upbeat about the production hoping to harvest 3200 metric tonnes, but are anguished over the inclement weather.
“ The prevailing inclement weather in the valley has already done heavy damage to one of the cherry varieties Double. The ripening of the cherries has already been delayed due to the low temperature,” said Shakoor Ahmad, a cherry grower.
The growers fear that the cherry variety Double will fetch lower rates due as the crop has not properly ripened. “The low shelf life of fruit doesn’t allow us to store it so that when market picks up, we sell it at the higher rates,” said Basharat Hussain. “ The frequent blockade of the national highway causes further damage to the fruit,” he added.
Horticulture Development Officer (HDO) Shopian, Mukhtar Ahmad Wani, said that the farmers have been advised to use calcium sprays in case the weather does not improve. “Calcium prevents the damage to the cherry crop. We are hoping for a bumper Mishri crop in case the weather remains good and temperatures increase.” Wani said.
