Himachal: Compensation now available for snowfall damage; Preparations to add apple horticulture under insurance

April 21, 2026

The State Government is poised to take a significant step to provide relief to horticulturists from natural disasters. Preparations are now underway to include damage caused to apple crops by heavy snowfall under the ambit of the Crop Insurance Scheme. The Department of Horticulture is currently drafting a proposal to incorporate this as an “add-on cover,” which will subsequently be submitted to the Central Government for approval.

Climate change has disrupted snowfall patterns within the state. Unseasonal snowfall has compounded the difficulties faced by horticulturists. The snowfall witnessed in April of this year inflicted substantial damage upon apple crops in the state’s high-altitude regions. Even the protective netting, specifically anti-hail nets installed to shield the apples from snow gave way, resulting in financial losses for the growers.

In light of this, the government is now working towards bringing snow-related damage within the scope of insurance coverage, thereby ensuring that horticulturists are safeguarded against such disasters in the future. Damage caused by hailstorms is already included as an add-on feature under the existing insurance scheme.

Currently, horticulturists are required to pay a premium of approximately ₹75 per plant to secure protection against various natural disasters, while an additional premium of ₹23 is charged specifically for damage caused by hailstorms.

Preparations are now being made to integrate snow-related damage into this very framework, ensuring that horticulturists receive enhanced protection without incurring a significant additional financial burden. In Himachal Pradesh, approximately 250,000 families are engaged in horticulture. The state produces an annual yield of roughly 500,000 to 700,000 metric tonnes of apples. The apple industry contributes over ₹5,000 crore to the state’s economy.