Promising Start

The horticulture season in Kashmir has commenced on a highly positive note, with reports of peak demand for pears and early apple varieties. As a critical contributor to Kashmir’s economy, the success of the horticulture sector has significant implications for the livelihoods of the local population and the overall economic health of the region. The favorable weather conditions this year have reportedly helped in enhancing the quality and yield of the fruit crops. Farmers in Kashmir’s valley are experiencing a surge in demand for their pear harvest, which has been met with enthusiasm from both local and national markets. This demand is expected to persist throughout the season, driven by the superior quality of this year’s crop. According to Bashir Ahmad Bashir, President of Parimpora Fruit Mandi, “There is currently a good demand for pears across India. The rates are comparatively better, and supply is also good.” In addition to pears, early apple varieties are also witnessing significant demand. Buyers are eager to secure the first of the season’s apples, and this enthusiasm is attributed to the high-quality yield and the introduction of new apple varieties into the market. The influx of early apple varieties into the market has been substantial, with dozens of trucks leaving fruit markets daily for various destinations across India, primarily New Delhi’s Azadpur Mandi. Despite the promising start, the horticulture sector in Kashmir has not been without its challenges. The prolonged dry weather earlier in the year had raised concerns among growers about the potential impact on crop yields. However, timely rainfall over the past week has alleviated these fears, rejuvenating the apple crop and offering a reprieve to farmers. This resilience in the face of adverse conditions highlights the adaptive capacity of Kashmir’s horticultural sector. With approximately seven lakh families directly or indirectly involved in the sector, horticulture contributes around eight percent to the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of Jammu and Kashmir. The valley itself boasts over 3.38 lakh hectares of land under fruit cultivation, with 1.62 lakh hectares dedicated to apple production alone. This extensive cultivation underscores the sector’s centrality to the region’s economic and social fabric. One of the most transformative developments in Kashmir’s horticulture sector has been the introduction of high-density apple farming. Introduced in the region after 2015, high-density apple varieties have rapidly gained popularity among growers due to their higher yield and quicker production cycle. Unlike traditional apple trees, which take about 10 years to bear fruit, high-density apple trees begin producing apples just one year after planting and reach full production by the fourth or fifth year. This accelerated timeline has allowed farmers to generate income more quickly. The success of high-density apple farming in Kashmir is particularly noteworthy. This innovation has the potential to revolutionise the region’s horticulture sector by increasing productivity and reducing the time it takes for farmers to generate income. The government’s support for this initiative, through subsidies and other incentives is a positive step towards modernising the sector.