Growers in Kashmir are reporting favorable outcomes from the cultivation of newly imported cherry varieties, primarily from Italy. According to the Kashmir News Observer, these varieties are currently outperforming in the market compared to some of the traditional cherries that are ready for harvest, despite the main harvest season for traditional varieties not having begun.
The new cherry varieties, although not matching the traditional ones in attributes such as crunch, color, and nutritional value, have shown resilience against rain damage. This characteristic is leading to better market prices compared to traditional varieties, which are more susceptible to damage from low-intensity rain showers. Rashid Ahmad, a cherry grower from Shopian, highlighted the vulnerability of traditional varieties to rain, noting that the new varieties only suffer from very heavy rainfall.
Growers are finding advantages in the staggered ripening of the new varieties, which helps maintain a balanced supply and demand, resulting in higher profitability. Asif Ahmad, another grower, mentioned that both traditional and new varieties, including the Siyah and several from Italy, are fetching satisfactory market rates. The extended harvest season of the new varieties, lasting about two months, is also creating more employment opportunities.
Peer Muhammad Amin, President of Fruit Mandi Shopian, expressed optimism for the ongoing cherry season, especially with the traditional varieties yet to peak. The region, known for producing over 1.5 mln tonnes of cherries and being the top cherry-producing area in India, anticipates sustained demand and favorable rates as the season progresses. The cultivation spans 2,317 hectares across Shopian, Ganderbal, and Srinagar, incorporating both traditional and new varieties.
Source: roshankashmir.net