Bumper Harvest of Stone Fruits in Kashmir Valley
The Kashmir Valley has seen a remarkable increase in the harvest of stone fruits like plum, apricot, cherry, and peach this season. The favorable hot and dry weather conditions have contributed to this bumper harvest compared to the previous year.
Successful Harvest
Farmers in the region have been busy harvesting the crops for the past few weeks and are content with the abundant produce. While apricot and cherry harvesting are almost complete, plum harvesting is still ongoing.
Mohammad Ashraf, a plum farmer from the outskirts of Srinagar city, mentioned that this year’s plum production was higher and of better quality due to the favorable weather conditions for stone fruits. He reaped the benefits of dry weather, which leads to good quantity and quality of fruits, avoiding diseases like scab.
The plum harvest yielded around 20,000 boxes this year, with prices ranging from ₹220 to 250 per box.
Local Enjoyment and Market Sentiments
Most of the plums are sent to markets outside the region, including Azadpur Mandi in Delhi. In Budgam district, apricot farmer Bashir Ahmad Bhat celebrated a successful harvest of 3,000 boxes of apricots. Despite some fruit quality issues in certain areas, the overall production was fruitful this year.
Horticulture development officer Azfar Nanda stated that there has been a significant increase in stone fruit production this year. The quality of the fruits has also been commendable, thanks to the conducive weather conditions.
Weather Impact and Future Prospects
The dry weather this summer, with minimal rainfall, has led to increased fruit production and maintained good quality. However, the heatwaves experienced in the region have posed challenges to residents and farmers.
To preserve the stone fruits and extend their shelf life, some farmers are storing them in controlled atmosphere stores. This strategic move is aimed at ensuring that the fruits remain in good condition and fetch better rates in the future.
This bumper harvest signifies a positive outcome for the farmers and the agricultural sector in the Kashmir Valley, showcasing the benefits of favorable weather conditions on fruit production.
