Snowfall in Kashmir aggravate woes of apple growers in Kashmir

Apple growers of Kashmir have suffered huge losses following the damage of apple orchards after recent snowfall spoilt the apple trees and smashed their branches in the valley.

Recent incessant snowfall and rains in Jammu and Kashmir damaged most of the apple orchards in Kashmir's Shopian district.

Growers in Shopian, one of the major apple producing areas in Kashmir, said the unexpected snowfall in March was heavier than the normal snowfall and it got accumulated on the tree branches.

"We have suffered huge losses. The Shopian district is famous for apples and there are many apple orchards in the district. Here people are mostly involved in the apple orchards and farmers mostly grow apples. This year due to rainfall and unexpected snowfall a few times we have suffered a lot of loss," said an apple grower, Ali Muhammad Dar.

According to the officials, a team of experts including horticulture experts have been assigned the job of assessing the total damage.

"The district administration has framed one committee which includes horticulture experts also, who will assess the loss and they have also been asked to submit the report by tomorrow. The committee is already in place so that we inform the higher authorities to take immediate action," said Additional District Development Commissioner of Shopian, Sajad Hussain.