SRINAGAR, DEC 26: The apple industry in Kashmir is facing a severe setback with a staggering 40 percent decline in production, attributed to unfavourable weather conditions and the prevalence of scab diseases. This substantial drop in production has inflicted significant financial losses on fruit growers across the region.
Local fruit growers in Kashmir have reported that the horticulture sector is bearing the brunt of the decline in apple production. While A-grade apples are fetching satisfactory returns, the plight of C-grade apples continues to trouble growers, aggravated by the absence of a Market Intervention Scheme (MIS).
Bashir Ahmad Basheer, President of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Association, shed light on the situation, stating, “Apple production has plummeted by an estimated 40 per cent due to untimely rains, hailstorms, and the spread of scab disease.”
He emphasised that the untimely weather disruptions during the flowering stage, followed by scab affecting the crops, have led to a decline in production and an increase in the percentage of C-grade apples, which are struggling to find buyers in the market.
Fruit growers have been appealing to the government to introduce a market intervention scheme and implement crop insurance for apples, a critical cash crop for Kashmir. However, their pleas have faced obstacles, leaving them in a precarious situation.
Despite the challenges faced in Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, A-grade apples are finding a good market and offering high returns to growers due to open transportation routes and low production in HP. However, Muhammad Ayoub, a fruit grower from Pattan, lamented that he has harvested a higher percentage of C-grade apples, which are struggling to find buyers.
As apple orchards in Kashmir await government intervention, there is hope that a revived Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) will not only alleviate the difficulties of fruit growers but also strengthen the resilience of this vital sector in the region’s economy.
Horticulture plays a crucial role in the economy of Jammu and Kashmir, contributing about 9.5 percent to the state’s Gross Domestic Product (SGDP) and generating approximately 8.50 crore man-days of employment annually. With a remarkable growth trajectory, the horticulture sector has shown increased production from 10,000 metric tonnes in 1950 to 25 lakh metric tonnes in 2020. Jammu and Kashmir, known as the ‘land of fruits’ and the ‘fruit bowl’ of Northern India, has been declared an Agri Export Zone for apples and walnuts, accounting for 70 percent of the total apple production and 90 percent of dry fruit production in the country. Various fruit crops are cultivated in Jammu and Kashmir, including apple, pear, cherry, walnut, almond, chestnut, strawberry, stone fruits, and grapes in temperate areas, and mango, citrus, guava, litchi, berries, grapes, and oranges in subtropical areas. Among these, apple is the major fruit crop, with significant concentration in the Kashmir region, particularly in Baramulla, Kupwara, and Shopian districts. Pear, another important fruit crop, is grown throughout the entire state, with a higher production base in the temperate Kashmir region, known for its cultivars with longer shelf life.
The Department of Information and Public Relations’ visual storytelling competition, conducted as part of ‘Badalta Jammu Kashmir,’ received an overwhelming response, with over 50,000 individuals participating and witnessing the dominance of government schools.
DIPR organized the Photography and Videography Competition under the flagship program of Badalta Jammu Kashmir. The event garnered a massive response, with over 11,000 entries engaging approximately 50,000 individuals from diverse backgrounds across Jammu and Kashmir. The competition encouraged citizens to spotlight transformative developments in the Union Territory.
The department has been actively organizing programs to promote the participation of the region’s populace in government endeavors. In this regard, the DIPR provides a platform for local talents to exhibit their unique skills. Programs like Beats of J&K, symposiums, painting competitions, song competitions, National Anthem competitions, and related cultural presentations are part of the departmental initiatives in this regard.
Winners across various categories were honored in a felicitation ceremony held here under the chairmanship of Joint Director Information Jammu, Atul Gupta. The competition not only celebrated the participants’ talent but also provided a poignant visual narrative of the dynamic changes unfolding in the realms of infrastructure, healthcare, and education throughout the region.
Atul Gupta, while complimenting the winners, expressed hope that the participants would continue to supplement and support DIPR’s efforts towards achieving success under such noble initiatives. This will immensely help in further cementing the bond between the department and the common masses for the larger interest of society.
In the short film category, Higher Secondary School Barbugh Imam Sahib, Shopian secured the first spot, while ITI Ramban bagged the top position in the super short film category. Similarly, Government Primary School Tilla and Government High School Wanigam Payeen, Baramulla, clinched the top places in the photo story and single photo category, respectively. The Special Encouragement award was given to High School Narore, Udhampur, for a single photo.
Among others present on the occasion were Deputy Director, Audio Visual, Daharam Pal, Deputy Director (PR), Dr. Vikas Sharma, Deputy Director, Central, Sunil Kumar, Information Officer, Ashu Kumari, Programme and Coordinating Executive, Akanksha Kalaotra, Information Officer, Sachin Bali, Information Officer, Miheer Thakur, award winners besides officers and officials of the department.
