By: Sameer Showkin Lone
Srinagar: “Better late than never”- the phrase is a complete fit for the Kashmiri orchardists who are now expecting a bumper apple crop this season after a spell of heavy showers that were deadly needed for the apple crop.
Orchardists across the valley especially in apple rich southern districts of Shopian, Kulgam and Pulwama, are happy at the rainfall which was much needed.
Since the onset of summer, the apple growers had started worrying about the increasing temperature and dry weather as the apple orchards continued to remain waterless and moisture-less.
With most of the apple areas lacking a proper irrigation system, the rain, though delayed since Tuesday, has come as a saviour for the apple growers whose livelihood completely depends on apples.
The rainfall will help to increase the size of fruit and diminish the effect of drought, say the farmers.
Mohammad Yousuf, an apple orchardist from Shopian, said the rain would prove a boon to the apple crops in the district that were facing dry weather.
“It will help to increase the size of apple fruit in the orchards and is also beneficial for other crops, including maize, paddy which require sufficient rainfall for better production,” he added.
In Kashmir, most of the apple production areas are dependent on seasonal rainfall to deal with the drought-like situation that affects the growers directly if weather remains dry for a long period.
Jammu & Kashmir boasts of around 80% share of total apple produced in India with Shopian district in south Kashmir being the major producer.
The apple production forms a formidable part of Kashmir’s total economy after agriculture.
The officials in the Department of Horticulture said the rainfall was much needed but it is not enough. “More rainfall would be productive for the apple crop this year,” they said.
According to government figures, Kashmir exports around 20 lakh metric tons of apple every year, and the horticulture industry is pegged to be worth around 8000 to 9000 crore including the employment it generates. Kashmir produces 75% of the total apple production in the country.