The losses suffered by Indian apple and other fruit growers in the recent snowfall and hailstorms are going to be very high. Even as the assessment for the total damage is on, the Horticulture Department has already prepared estimates of over Rs 810 mln (€8.9 mln) damages. “We have already received estimates of Rs 81.40 crore from the field. Apple growers have been the worst hit,” said Horticulture Director J.P. Sharma.
Apple growers, on the other hand, feel the exact damage would easily be in the range of Rs 7-10 bln. “The department’s data is preliminary at the moment. The farmers are in a state of shock. They have not been able to remove their torn anti-hail nets, assess the damage done to their trees yet. The actual figure of loss will be much higher,” said Harish Chauhan, president of the Fruits, Vegetables and Flowers Growers Association of Himachal Pradesh.
Source: tribuneindia.com
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