High-density apple orchards to give fillip to Valley’s horti sector

HORTICULTURE CONTRIBUTES ABOUT 8% TOWARDS GDP OF THE UT BESIDES GENERATING EMPLOYMENT AVENUES FOR THE YOUNGER GENERATION

SRINAGAR: With the establishment of high and medium density apple orchards across Kashmir valley over the last two years, the horticulture sector in the region is all set to get a major fillip.

In the last two years, 5,000 kanals (625 acres) of high-density orchards have been established in the Valley.

They are likely to start producing fruit within one or two years. Medium density plantations that bear fruit after five years have been set up over 48,000 kanals ( 6,000 acres) across Kashmir, as per official data.

Horticulture is the backbone of J&K economy as it contributes around 8% towards the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the Union Territory besides generating employment avenues for the younger generation. As per official data, seven lakh farming families comprising 35 lakh people are directly or indirectly associated with the sector.

Horticulture director Ajaz Ahmad Bhat says, “We are way behind our target to convert old orchards into high density or medium density ones. But once it is done the production will go up.”

‘When it comes to production, we are still far behind’

“Area-wise Kashmir is on the top but when it comes to production we are still far behind. Thus, we are encouraging growers to replace old orchards with new ones,” he added. Of late, the J&K government has taken several steps to boost the sector by providing high-yielding plants to growers.

“Around 2 lakh quality plants have been grown in public sector nurseries and distributed among the famers in Kashmir.

“In Kashmir, three hi-tech walnut nurseries at Zawoora in Srinagar, Brakpora in Anantnag; and Chandigamin Kupwara have been established and around 20,000 walnut seedlings are being produced annually for further propagation in controlled conditions,” Bhat said, adding that this will help increase production.

Seeing the dividends, many growers in Kashmir are now converting their old orchards into high-density orchards, which can give fillip to fruit production in Kashmir.

Officials attached with the high-density plantations say even if 25-30% of the existing orchards are replaced with high-density plantations then the production of fruit can double or triple .

Currently, Kashmir produces around 23 to 24 lakh metric tons of fruit.

Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers and Dealers Union president Bashir Ahmad says highdensity plantations in Kashmir is still in its initial stage.

“The growers are still relying on old tactics and use old techniques,” Ahmad said.