Late pea harvest yields delight for farmers

Pulwama, June 22 : A late pea harvest, influenced by climate variations, has unexpectedly turned into a significant financial boon for farmers in the higher regions of Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam, and Budgam.
These farmers are currently celebrating record-breaking returns, marking the best prices they have seen in nearly a decade.
Maqsood Ahmad, a seasoned pea farmer from Modergam village of Kulgam, is among those witnessing an unprecedented surge in profits.
For the past ten years, Maqsood has cultivated peas, and this year’s prices have reached a remarkable ₹75 to ₹80 per kilogram.
“This is the highest rate we have ever received,” Maqsood told Rising Kashmir.
He said that the previous record was ₹50 per kilogram, achieved eight years ago.
In the Kandi belts, where the elevation causes a delay in crop maturation compared to the plains, this late harvest has proven advantageous.
Over the past few days, farmers in these upper regions have begun reaping the benefits of a market that is keen on late-season peas.
For Maqsood and many of his peers, this season’s high returns come as a welcome relief after two years of subdued demand and low prices.
The financial impact has been substantial for many farmers. Shabir Ahmad, from Dachan village of Beerwah in Budgam, planted peas on 3.5 kanals of land, yielding approximately 1.4 metric tons.
Each kilogram of his crop fetched around ₹87, leading him to expect a profit exceeding ₹90,000 after deducting expenses for manure and labour.
“The returns per kilogram are even better than those from apples,” Shabir said.
He said that pea farming is not only more lucrative but also involves lower costs and effort.
Showket Ahmad, a farmer and pea dealer from Narbal village in Pulwama, urged for crop diversification to maximize profits. He advised his fellow farmers to stagger their planting to avoid flooding the market and driving down prices.
“We need to regulate supply to ensure we get good prices,” Showket said.
“Farmers should also focus on grading their peas because high-quality produce commands better prices, “he said.
Deputy Director of Horticulture, Planning, and Marketing Kashmir, reiterated the department’s support for farmers.
He said that while pea prices are influenced by market forces, the department is committed to facilitating marketing efforts and prioritizing transportation for perishable items like peas along the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.
“Pea farmers can use our marketing facilities across all districts of Kashmir, except Srinagar, to sell their produce free of charge,” he said.