Srinagar: Minister for Agriculture Production Department, Rural Development Department & Panchayati Raj, Javid Ahmad Dar, Wednesday conducted an extensive visit to the hailstorm-affected areas of Shopian district and the fire-damaged Fruit and Vegetable Mandi in Pulwama.
The visit aimed at assessing the extent of damage and ensuring prompt relief and support to the affected farmers and traders.
Several villages in Shopian including Wadipora, Reshipora, Drawni, Wuyan, Bandpawa, Handew, Nagbal, Dhobipora, Dachew, Warpora, Gundi Darwesh, and Hushanpora have suffered extensive crop losses due to the recent hailstorm.
Interacting with the affected farmers, the Minister directed the concerned field officers to conduct thorough damage assessments and submit comprehensive reports at the earliest. He further instructed the district administration to expedite the process of relief.
The Minister also took note of the farmers’ demand for inclusion of apple under the crop insurance scheme to mitigate risks arising from natural calamities.
To strengthen future preparedness, Dar directed for formation of expert technical teams to conduct awareness campaigns and offer technical guidance to the farmers for disaster risk reduction and crop protection.
Later, the Minister visited the fire-affected Fruit and Vegetable Mandi in Pulwama. He inspected the site and listened to the grievances of the traders and association representatives.
Responding to their concerns, the Minister assured that all genuine public demands would be addressed on priority. He issued on-the-spot directions for installation of CCTV cameras in the mandi to enhance surveillance and prevent such incidents in future.
MLA Zainapora, Showkat Hussain Ganie, MLA Pampore, Hasnain Moosdi, MLA Raj pora, Ghulam Mohi Uddin Mir, DDC Members Rajpora and Pampore, Director Horticulture, Kashmir, Director Horticulture, P&M, SDM, ACD CAO, CHO and other officers accompanied the Minister.
