The Jammu and Kashmir government is working to introduce a weather-based crop insurance scheme within the next two to three months, a move that could provide significant relief to farmers, especially apple growers in the Kashmir Valley.
Scheme details and timeline
Jammu and Kashmir Agriculture Production Minister Javid Ahmad Dar confirmed that a committee has been formed to prepare a revised insurance policy. "The process is underway and the scheme is expected to be implemented within the next two to three months," Dar said. The insurance programme is likely to be rolled out in phases, initially covering one crop each from the Kashmir and Jammu regions before expanding further.
Kashmir's apple economy at risk
Kashmir accounts for nearly 75 per cent of India's total apple production, making the horticulture sector the backbone of the local economy. However, frequent weather-related disruptions—including hailstorms, heavy snowfall, unseasonal rains, and prolonged dry spells—have caused substantial losses for growers. In the absence of a comprehensive insurance mechanism, many farmers have had to bear these losses on their own.
Farmer groups welcome the proposal
Farmer associations have long demanded such a scheme. Javid Ahmad, President of the Pulwama Fruit Association in South Kashmir, said, "We have repeatedly urged the authorities to provide insurance cover for apple crops, but it has not materialised so far. We continue to wait for its implementation." He added that crop insurance would provide much-needed financial protection against natural calamities like hailstorms and unseasonal weather events.
Advocacy and expert concerns
The Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers-cum-Dealers' Union, led by Chairman Bashir Ahmad Basheer, has written to the Union Government seeking a crop insurance scheme for the horticulture sector, modeled on existing agricultural insurance programmes. The Union argues that a weather-based scheme would serve as a crucial safety net for marginal fruit growers and provide timely financial support during natural disasters. Weather experts have also highlighted that increasing climatic variability and erratic weather patterns are threatening the Valley's horticulture sector, raising concerns over production and farm incomes.
Long-term impact
With climate-related risks becoming more frequent, growers believe the proposed insurance scheme could offer long-awaited protection and stability to one of Jammu and Kashmir's most important economic sectors. The phased implementation is expected to allow the government to refine the policy before expanding coverage to more crops and regions.
