Insure apple, demands HP

To counter the debilitating effects of natural calamities, the Himachal Pradesh Government has proposed to the Centre that apple and citrus fruits be brought under insurance cover.

Of late, nature has been particularly harsh to the state8217;s fruit growers. So despite the best farm practices and technological interventions, its fruit economy has suffered8212;last year, apple growers suffered losses due to a dry spell and not enough snow; this year, mango farmers took a beating worth Rs 54 crore due to frost; the citrus fruit growers found themselves in a similar quandary this season.

8220;We have taken-up the matter with the Centre and the Agriculture Insurance Corporation to bring large fruits within the purview of the crop insurance,8221; said state Horticulture Minister Narinder Bragta. 8220;For its part, the state government has started working on viable alternatives to help the fruit growers in case of damages due to natural calamities,8221; he added. Currently, only wheat, paddy, maize and barley are covered under crop insurance.