Dry spell in Kashmir put Rs 12,000 Cr apple industry at risk

Apple trees in poor condition, SKAUST-K Scientists urged to conduct field visit
7 lakh families associated with Apple trade hit; Govt intervention sought
Srinagar, Feb 22: The absence of moisture in Kashmir’s apple orchards has not only added to the woes of growers but also placed the Rs 12,000 crore apple industry in peril. According to the apple growers, the Valley will face an economic crisis if the government fails to act swiftly, as seven lakh families are directly or indirectly reliant on the apple business.
Amid the prolonged dry spell last year, coupled with an 80 per cent precipitation deficit in January and February of the current year, the growers have raised the stakes for crop insurance to tackle the drought-like situation.
The apple growers believe Kashmir is facing a “natural calamity” that has left over seven lakh families involved in the apple trade deeply concerned.
“We have not witnessed such a severe precipitation deficit in the past few decades. We are facing a drought-like situation this season,” said Bashir Ahmed Basheer, president of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers-cum-Dealers Union.
He stated that the condition of the apple trees is unsatisfactory due to the absence of moisture. “The snowfall or rainfall that we used to see in December, January, and February would keep the roots of the apple trees fresh. This year, there is no moisture whatsoever,” Basheer explained. He added that the lack of moisture in the tree roots could either damage the trees or make them susceptible to insect infestations.
“I believe the time was ripe for the government to intervene with the expertise of scientists from SKUAST-K. These scientists should have conducted field visits at the district level and offered remedial measures to protect the trees,” he said. “I urge the Vice Chancellor of SKUAST-K to form teams of scientists for field visits. Issuing advisories from offices won’t suffice.”
Basheer also emphasised that, while it is too early to predict the extent of the losses the apple industry will face due to the “drought-like situation”, the overall outlook is bleak. “Over seven lakh families are directly and indirectly involved in the apple trade. This is the backbone of Kashmir’s economy,” he said, calling on the government to intervene. “We have appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Agriculture Minister Javaid Dar to approve a crop insurance scheme for us. So far, there has been no progress.”
Echoing Basheer’s concerns, Fayaz Malik, Chairman of the Sopore Fruit Growers Association, said small spells of rain would not have a significant impact. “Unfortunately, nature is not on our side at a time when we have good connectivity via tunnels on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway. Prices were also favourable last year. Despite these advantages, we are facing nature’s wrath,” he said. Malik, who heads the world’s second-largest fruit market in Sopore, added that they are facing a difficult situation due to the lack of adequate snow and rainfall.
Abdur Rashid, a farmer from Sopore, said that government intervention is what they are eying now. “Without wasting time, the government must send teams of experts to give tips to farmers as to how trees can be protected in absence of moisture levels at the roots,” he said. “We follow traditional means to protect trees but that’s not enough.” Last year, Kashmir exported 1900 Metric Tons of Apple fetching Rs 12,000 cr in national markets. However, the huge precipitation deficit this season has left the growers struggling for survival.