Shielding Orchards from the Storm: Himachal Plans Stronger Insurance for Apple Farmers
As extreme weather events become more frequent, Himachal Pradesh’s Department of Horticulture is moving to strengthen protections for its apple growers. A key reform has been proposed to the weather-based crop insurance scheme—bringing hailstorm damage under the main insurance cover.
This change comes as a relief for farmers in districts like Shimla, which produces nearly 70–80% of the state’s apples. Currently, hailstorm insurance is only offered as an optional add-on, but uptake has been negligible. In fact, this year, only five growers in Shimla district opted for it, despite hailstorms being one of the biggest threats to orchards.
“Hailstorms have become more frequent over the past few years. Including them in the main cover will encourage growers to opt for insurance,” said Satish Sharma, Director of the Department of Horticulture, expressing hope that the revised structure could be implemented from the next season.
Under the current scheme, farmers pay a premium of ₹75 per tree for coverage of ₹1,500 against temperature variations, irregular rainfall, and high-speed winds. With hailstorm protection included, the premium would rise slightly to ₹98 per tree, but coverage would also increase to ₹1,950.
Beyond hailstorms, unseasonal snowfall in April has emerged as another serious challenge, especially in orchards above 8,000 feet. Such events have damaged trees, anti-hail nets, and bamboo supports, but current insurance provisions fall short of covering this type of physical damage.
To improve risk assessment, the department is expanding its network of automated weather stations. Of the planned 1,700 stations at the panchayat level, around 600 have already been installed, with the rest expected in the next two years.
For apple growers, these reforms represent more than just financial protection—they are a lifeline in an era of unpredictable weather, helping safeguard both livelihoods and Himachal’s iconic apple economy.
