Kiwi gets Kashmiri touch: Kashmir farmers turn to Kiwi fruit for high returns & low maintenance

Srinagar, Dec 18:Tanveer Ahmad, a resident of Zangam village in Baramulla, made waves last year after harvesting Kiwifruits from a government-owned orchard in Pattan. His photos of the rare fruit went viral on social media, sparking a surge of interest among local farmers eager to try their hand at cultivating the fruit.
For the past decade, Ahmad has been purchasing Kiwifruits from the government orchard at Zangam, which has provided him with good returns. “The market for Kiwifruit in Kashmir is strong, with prices ranging between Rs 30 to Rs 40 per piece,” he said. He added that the fruit’s medicinal properties and relatively low maintenance costs, including minimal pesticide and spray requirements, make it an attractive option for local farmers.
“Kiwi requires more water throughout the year, and Kashmir’s climate and land are ideal for its cultivation,” Tanveer explained. He emphasized that the fruit’s low expenditure needs make it an appealing crop for farmers looking to diversify their orchards. “It can be grown anywhere in Kashmir with the right care,” he added.
In addition to Kiwifruit, Tanveer also grows apples and has been in regular contact with the horticulture department for over two decades. He believes that government support for Kiwifruit cultivation could provide a livelihood for many unemployed youths in the region. “It could be a game-changer for both the youth and the horticulture sector,” he said.
Other local farmers have also begun exploring Kiwifruit cultivation. Jamsheed Ahmad Ganai from Shopian has been selling Kiwi saplings for the past three years, mostly receiving orders from northern and central Kashmir. “People are planting these trees in their lawns, and it’s becoming more popular,” he said. Mohammad Yousuf from Ganderbal, who also sells Kiwifruit saplings, noted that the fruit has gained significant popularity in the Valley in recent years, with many people planting the trees in their orchards.
Junaid Ahmad, an expert at the Directorate of Horticulture Kashmir, shared that Kiwifruit production has great potential in Kashmir, particularly in north Kashmir. “The department has established some orchards in the region, and people are increasingly interested in Kiwi cultivation,” he said. While the quality may not meet international market standards, he believes the local market is growing and that more land will be explored for Kiwi production in the coming years.
Kiwifruit, originally from China but now widely associated with New Zealand, has become a popular fruit in India. It was introduced to New Zealand by missionaries in the 19th century and gained commercial popularity after World War II.
To support the growing interest in Kiwifruit, the government has introduced provisions under the Holistic Agriculture Development Program (HADP) to offer subsidized Kiwi orchards to farmers, similar to the support provided for apple, pear, and walnut orchards. The horticulture department is also cultivating Kiwi plants in nurseries to ensure local availability and facilitate the promotion of the crop.
Uri, in particular, has shown promising results for Kiwi cultivation due to its favourable temperatures, yielding larger fruit sizes. Kiwifruit harvested in Kashmir, typically in November, thrives in dry, moisture-free land with irrigation facilities. The fruit does not require extensive use of manure or pesticides, making it a sustainable crop. Moreover, it can be marketed both as fresh produce and dry fruit, offering farmers flexibility in their selling options.