Suhail Bhat
SRINAGAR, Aug 2: Despite early ripening and a promising bumper crop this year, almond growers in Kashmir fear they will once again be unable to sell their produce due to the absence of a centralized dry fruit market.
Farmers began this year’s harvest with optimism as almond-laden trees indicated a bumper yield. But that optimism has been short-lived. “The crop is good, but like every year, we will not be able to get the desired profit,” said a grower from Pulwama, expressing concern over the lack of market infrastructure.
Once a flourishing industry, almond farming in the Valley is now in distress. Many growers have switched to apple cultivation, citing falling profits and climate-related challenges.
“The Government has rolled out multiple schemes for apples, but nothing for almonds. It has become a waste crop,” said Mohammad Altaf, a grower from Zadura in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
According to official data up to 2011, the area under almond cultivation in Kashmir dropped from 16,418 hectares to 7,107 hectares. Production too fell sharply—from 16,537 metric tonnes to just 6,360 metric tonnes. Experts attribute this decline to climate change and poor market support.
Regions like Pulwama and Budgam, once known for high-quality almonds, have seen a steady shift toward apple orchards. “Despite being among India’s top almond producers, Kashmir still lacks a dedicated dry fruit market. We are forced to sell outside the region,” Altaf said.
Farmers say they must pack and transport the almonds themselves to markets in Jammu or Delhi. “Like apple mandis, we need proper infrastructure for almonds. A local market would help us sell on time and avoid storing stock for years,” said Mohammad Ramzan, a grower from Pulwama.
The almond farming cycle begins in March with fertilization and irrigation, followed by flowering by the end of the month. But farmers complain they lack access to expert advice and modern farming techniques. “Nobody guides us on fertilizers or modern practices. Many now consider almond farming unlucky,” Farooq Ahmad, a local said.
“Despite Kashmir’s delicious almonds, we are still growing the same old varieties. The Government’s indifference is disappointing,” added Ghulam Mohammad, another grower.
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