Apple production in Kashmir has seen a decrease of at least 30% for the second year in a row, attributed to climate change and unpredictable weather patterns. Growers throughout the region have reported a significant reduction in yields due to adverse weather conditions during the crucial fruit set season. A combination of high temperatures in March, followed by a wet and cool April, alongside a prolonged dry spell, has negatively impacted fruit production, as per conversations with the Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
These weather irregularities have disrupted essential spray schedules, leading to scab outbreaks and other diseases, further reducing the harvest. Recent hailstorms and the presence of leaf miners have also severely affected both the quantity and quality of apple production. Irshad Ahmad, a grower from Anantnag district, noted a production drop to 70% of the previous year's yield in some areas. Jahangir Ahmad Dar from Watchi Shopian highlighted a drastic decline in his harvest, from approximately 1,200 apple boxes to barely 300 this year.
The increased cost of pesticides and fertilizers, especially for treatments against diseases, has placed a financial strain on many marginal farmers. Despite previous years' challenges, including untimely snowfall and hailstorms, the anticipation for better returns this year has not materialized. Recent hailstorms in south Kashmir have prompted calls for immediate government intervention and the establishment of a crop insurance scheme to alleviate grower losses.
Bashir Ahmad Bashir, president of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers and Dealers Association, confirmed the approximate 30% reduction in production this year, citing erratic spring weather and hailstorms as key factors. He emphasized the critical need for a crop insurance scheme to safeguard growers against future losses. Unlike last year, where high prices offered some compensation, this year has seen a dip in demand, further exacerbating the situation. Kashmir, known for producing over 20 lakh metric tonnes of apples annually, relies heavily on this sector, with half of its population connected to the apple industry either directly or indirectly, according to the 2017 economic survey of J&K.
Source: Roshan Kashmir