The apple industry in Kashmir is facing a startling 40 percent decline in production; this is said to be due to unfavourable weather conditions and the prevalence of scab diseases. The production drop has inflicted significant financial losses on fruit growers across the region.
Local fruit growers in Kashmir have reported that the horticulture sector is bearing the brunt of the decline in apple production. While A-grade apples are fetching satisfactory returns, the plight of C-grade apples continues to trouble growers, aggravated by the absence of a Market Intervention Scheme (MIS).
Bashir Ahmad Basheer, President of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Association, stated that the untimely weather disruptions during the flowering stage, followed by scab affecting the crops, have led to a decline in production and an increase in the percentage of C-grade apples, which are struggling to find buyers in the market.
Fruit growers have been appealing to the government to introduce a market intervention scheme and implement crop insurance for apples, a critical cash crop for Kashmir. There is hope that a revived Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) will not only alleviate the difficulties of fruit growers but also strengthen the resilience of this vital sector in the region’s economy.
Source: morningkashmir.com