Editorial | Kashmir Farmers Need Crop Insurance

In recent weeks, farmers across Kashmir have suffered serious losses due to sudden hailstorms. These natural disasters have damaged fruits, vegetables, and other crops that farmers depend on for their livelihood. The pain is not just in the damaged crops, but in the helplessness felt when months of hard work are destroyed in just a few minutes. That is why the government must step in and provide crop insurance to all farmers in Kashmir.

Farming in Kashmir is already a difficult job. The land is hilly, the weather is uncertain, and the growing season is short. On top of that, climate change has made weather patterns even more unpredictable. In the past few years, Kashmir has seen untimely rains, floods, and now hailstorms. These events can wipe out an entire season’s harvest. Most farmers in the region are small or marginal. They do not have enough savings to recover from such losses. When a crop is destroyed, they lose not only their income but also the money they spent on seeds, fertilizers, and labor. This can push many of them into debt.

Crop insurance is a basic safety net that can help farmers during such disasters. With crop insurance, farmers can get some compensation when their crops are damaged by natural events like hail, flood, or drought. This money can help them manage their expenses and prepare for the next farming season. Without insurance, they are left to suffer on their own.

Sadly, most farmers in Kashmir are not covered under any crop insurance scheme. The government has launched schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) in other parts of India, but these have not been implemented properly in Kashmir. Many farmers are not aware of these schemes, or they face problems in applying. Some complain that compensation is delayed or too little. The result is that farmers lose trust in such schemes.

This must change. The government should urgently bring a simple, transparent, and effective crop insurance plan to Kashmir. First, it should ensure that all farmers—big and small—are included. There should be awareness campaigns in local languages to help farmers understand the benefits and how to enroll. The application process should be made easy and should not require too many documents. Compensation must be paid quickly, ideally within a month of the damage.

The government should also work closely with local panchayats and farmer groups to assess losses quickly and fairly. Involving local people will increase trust and reduce delays. Satellite technology and mobile apps can also be used to speed up the process.

Agriculture is the backbone of Kashmir’s rural economy. If farmers continue to suffer losses without help, more people may leave farming altogether. This would hurt not just the economy but also the food security of the region. Supporting farmers is not charity—it is investment in the future.

The hailstorm is a clear warning that farmers need protection from nature’s fury. The best way to do this is to provide them with crop insurance. The government must act quickly to bring relief to the farmers of Kashmir. They deserve security, respect, and support—and now is the time to show it.