Apple farmers in Jumla are protesting after receiving less compensation than the premium paid for drought and hailstorm insurance. Farmers paid Rs 36 per plant to Shikhar Insurance but are receiving only Rs 24 per plant, leaving a Rs 12 deficit. Last year, 5,350 farmers insured 1.2 million apple saplings worth Rs 400–500 million in exports. Padam Bahadur Dangi of the Apple Insurance Victims Action Committee said farmers are struggling to recover premiums due to over Rs 320 million in pending government subsidy payments to the insurer.
