THE Apple Farmers Federation, in a statement issued on October 16, has demanded immediate relief to the apple growers whose fruit got damaged due to heavy hail storm in Shopian, Kulgam areas of the valley.

Zahoorn Ahmad Rather, president of the J&K unit of the Federation, called for a comprehensive compensation for affected growers who suffered extensive damages due to heavy hailstorm on October 15, that wreaked havoc in Shopian, Kulgam and other areas of the valley. The government should assess the damages immediately so that the growers are provided compensation well in time.

Abdul Rashid Itoo, state general secretary of the AFFI, questioned the non-implementation of crop insurance scheme, saying that the growers will heave a sigh of relief if the scheme is implemented. The scheme will save the fruit growers in the event of losses suffered due to natural calamities.