Unexpected Snowfall in Kashmir caused severe loss to apple growers

After a nine year gap severe and unexpected snowfall has destroyed the apple orchards across the Kashmir valley on the first week of November. The unexpected snowfall has affected the farmers in the worst possible manner. The gravity of loss is intense that it will take a decade to recover fully. The snowfall not only took toll of yield but also of apple trees. 

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Every Year Kashmir Valley's apple production is about 17 Lakh metric tonnes and apple worth Rs. 6500 were exported. This years’ magnitude of loss will be reflected in the coming years. The production of apple will go down as the snowfall has affected the apple trees.

The initial loss caused is estimated to be around Rs.500 Crore. The total estimate of loss will cross more than Rs. 1000 Crores. The loss will be a severe blow to the economy of Kashmir. More than 20 Lakh farmers are engaged in apple farming. The estimated yield this year was around 20000 Metric Ton. A major share of the production got damaged in this unexpected snowfall.  The total loss due to snowfall this year will be much more than expected total income.