Srinagar, Jul 29: The fruit growers in Kashmir are very much worried due to the erratic weather conditions since last one month.

Growers from various parts of Kashmir said that the due to very erratic weather conditions in past one month, the livelihood of around 50 percent population who are directly dependent on horticulture sector is under threat as number of diseases have broken out in their orchards.

Muhammad Yousuf, a fruit grower from Shopian, said that due to climate change, they are witnessing rain for few minutes to hours almost on daily basis followed by heat wave due to which various diseases have engulfed the orchards.

He said that these erratic weather conditions are also putting an impact on leaves of fruit trees which in turn is impacting our produce as well.

Growers said that the horticulture sector is under threat due to climate change which in turn has been affecting the produce.

They further added that despite following the spray schedule in letter and spirit, new diseases are coming to the fore due to which farmers are very much worried.

Bashir Ahmad Basheer, chairman Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers and Dealers Uniosaid that there is a need that the government must implement crop insurance schemes so that growers won’t suffer every year.

He said that we have recently met LG Manoj Sinha regarding this issue who assured that soon this scheme will be implemented. kno