Srinagar, July 19: Nine years ago, Farooq Ahmad, a resident of Repora in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, grew apples on three kanals of land, earning Rs 50,000-70,000 annually. In 2017, he switched to cultivating grapes for better returns.
“Since 2018, I have been earning over Rs 2 lakh annually from grape cultivation. Apples are grown extensively in Kashmir, leading to high competition. Grapes, on the other hand, have a better market and prices as fewer farmers grow them. We expect a bumper crop this year,” he said.
Like Farooq, hundreds of farmers in Ganderbal district have transitioned to grape cultivation over the years in Repora. They are anticipating a bumper crop this year.
“Farmers from other areas in Kashmir, especially Ganderbal, are also shifting to grape cultivation for better returns. This crop is more profitable than other fruits like apples,” said Mehraj, who also cultivates other fruits, including apples, on his 10 kanals of land.
Repora village in Ganderbal district has carved out a reputation for producing quality grapes over the years. This small, picturesque hamlet has a long history of grape cultivation, earning it the moniker “grapes village of Kashmir.”
The sweetness of Repora’s grapes has been lauded in the poetry of Kashmir’s famous saint, Sheikh Nooruddin Wali. Villagers attribute this sweetness to the blessings of another Sufi saint, Mir Syed Shah Sadiq Qalandar, who lived in the area centuries ago.
Repora is renowned for cultivating top-grade grape varieties like Sahiba, Hussaini, and Anabeshai, which are sold in markets across the valley.
“The grapes we grow here are not enough to meet the demand in Kashmir. Farmers sell their produce in local Mandis, from where it is distributed across the valley. Additionally, grapes are imported from various parts of the country to meet local demand,” another farmer explained.
This year, the villagers of Repora are optimistic about a prosperous grape harvest, continuing their tradition of producing some of the finest grapes in Kashmir.
