Srinagar, May 30: As the season of cherry has started in different parts of Kashmir, the Horticulture Department Kashmir is expecting bumper crop produce this year amid bad weather.
Altaf Ahmad, a cherry farmer from Ganderbal said although in March this year, the cherry orchards were hit by snowfall and cold winds when the orchards were in full bloom.
“However, after the blossom period ended, the weather remained favourable in the district and this year we expect a considerable increase in cherry crop although we have not started picking,” he said.
Ishfaq Ahmad, another cherry farmer from Tangmarg who grows cherry in some ten kanals of land, said the hailstorm has damaged the cherry crop to a large extent.
“We have done the recommended sprays after the hailstorm. Last year, we produced some 500 boxes but this year we don’t expect that much cherry produce,” he said.
Subject Matter Specialist, Directorate of Horticulture Kashmir, Mohd Amin Bhat said cherry is grown in many parts of Kashmir majorly in Ganderbal, Srinagar, Shopian and Baramulla.
“Overall the main production comes from Ganderbal district which has not been affected by hailstorm. However, in many areas of Baramulla some cherry varieties were in ripe stage when the hailstorm hit crops last week,” he said.
Bhat said yearly Kashmir produces 22,000 metric tonnes of cherry on 3000 hectare of land and this year the horticulture department expects bumper crop production despite bad weather.
“Where ever the cherry has been affected by the hailstorm farmers can’t go for fungicides as these are in the ripening stage. However, at places where the fruit has not ripened farmers can go for calcium chloride spray to prevent cracks but not during the harvest time,” he said.
Bhat also said that they have put cherry crop under the Revised High-Density Plantation Scheme and now they will bring more area under cherry crop with new varieties. “Through this scheme, cherries would be promoted at a large scale,” he said.
The Subject Matter Specialist said in case the farmers need any kind of help in transportation and marketing of their produce, the department is ready to support them.
He said they are doing the marketing of the early season fruits and when transported by air they give 25 percent subsidy to the farmers. Horticulture Department is also planning to involve entrepreneurs for marketing.
“We have talked to growers for the marketing of C-grade cherries which could be used for making juice. We will provide material for that to ensure that it doesn’t go to waste,” officials said.
Notably, the department has also introduced AC refer vans to ensure that fruits are taken to mandis on proper time adding that this year they have kept budget provision for it.
