Baramulla, May 23 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Department, Javid Ahmad Dar on Saturday visited hailstorm-affected areas of Rafiabad in Baramulla district to assess the damage caused to crops and orchards.
During the visit, the Minister inspected affected agricultural fields and orchards where standing crops and fruit-bearing plants suffered extensive damage due to the recent hailstorm and adverse weather conditions. He interacted with farmers, orchardists and local residents, who informed him about the losses incurred and demanded immediate government assistance.
Expressing concern over the difficulties faced by the farming community, Dar assured the affected families that the government would extend all possible support. He said that genuine cases of crop and orchard damage would be properly assessed and relief provided as per government norms.
“The welfare of farmers remains the government’s top priority. Every possible support will be provided to mitigate the losses suffered by the affected growers,” the Minister said.
He directed officials of the Agriculture and Horticulture departments to conduct a detailed field survey and submit a comprehensive assessment report at the earliest to facilitate timely compensation and relief measures.
Dar also instructed the concerned departments to intensify awareness programmes regarding modern crop protection measures, disaster mitigation practices and government-sponsored schemes aimed at safeguarding agricultural produce from weather-related calamities. He stressed the need to ensure maximum coverage of farmers under crop insurance schemes.
Highlighting the growing vulnerability of the agriculture sector to extreme weather events, the Minister emphasised strengthening crop protection infrastructure and improving disaster response mechanisms to minimise future losses.
Senior officers accompanying the Minister included Director Horticulture Kashmir Vikas Anand, Deputy Director Agriculture Kashmir and other officials from the concerned departments.(NVI)
