Srinagar: Once a luxury, anti-hail nets have become a necessity among the apple growers, with demand for these safety nets growing among the orchardists.
Every year, hailstorms cause huge damage to the horticulture sector in Kashmir, particularly during the spring season when the apple crop is in its infancy.
Last week, north Kashmir witnessed a devastating hailstorm, which caused losses worth crores of rupees. In areas such as Pattan, Tangmarg, and Sopore, the damage to the crop is assessed to be around 80 percent.
As such, anti-hail nets, which were seen as an expensive investment meant largely for wealthy growers and high-density farms, are being adapted by even small orchardists.
Across apple-producing districts such as Shopian, Pulwama, Kulgam, and Baramulla, growers claimed that hailstorms that once occurred occasionally have now become an almost annual threat, forcing them to take preventive measures.
“Earlier, we would hear about hailstorms damaging a few villages once in several years. Now every season we fear losses. A few minutes of intense hail can bruise fruit, damage branches, and reduce premium-grade apples to low-value produce, wiping out a large portion of a farmer’s yearly income,” said Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat, an orchardist from Pattan.
The shift has triggered growing demand for anti-hail nets — large protective mesh coverings installed over orchards to shield apple trees from hailstones, heavy rain, and bird attacks. This facility was earlier limited mostly to high-density apple orchards owned by affluent growers. The technology is now attracting traditional orchard owners and small farmers as well.
Dealers supplying anti-hail nets in Kashmir said enquiries and installations have risen sharply over the past few years, particularly after consecutive hailstorms damaged orchards across south Kashmir. “The anti-hail net has many benefits. It serves as a shield against hail and wind, which cause immense loss to the apple trees. Right now, we have a good demand across Kashmir, and this facility is now available for traditional orchards as well,” said Ankit Sharma, Sales Manager at India’s leading anti-hail net manufacturing firm.
He said the demand is expected to surge further as hailstorms have been frequent in Kashmir for the last few years. “In Himachal Pradesh, this facility is being utilized by growers on a large scale. We are witnessing progress in Kashmir as well,” Sharma said.
Experts said apple growers are now being forced to invest in climate-resilient infrastructure to safeguard their orchards. “Hailstorms during flowering and fruit-development stages can severely impact both quality and productivity. Protective measures such as anti-hail nets are becoming more important as weather events grow more unpredictable,” said Irshad Aziz Bhat, a botanist and plant pathologist.