Bumper yield in Kupwara makes walnut prices touch record high

Kupwara, Oct 28: Popularly known as the walnut district of Kashmir, Kupwara has recorded a bumper walnut harvest this year, bringing relief and happiness to thousands of farmers associated with the trade.

According to official data available, the frontier Kupwara district has produced around 8,837 metric tons of walnuts this year, making it one of the highest yields in recent years.

Farmers across the district while talking to this correspondent said that both the production and rates of walnuts have been highly satisfactory this season bringing a sigh of relief and hope among them. The finest-quality kernels are being sold between Rs 1000 and Rs 1200 per kilogram in the local markets, while the second and third grades are fetching Rs 800- Rs 900 and Rs 600- Rs 700 respectively.

“During last several years we struggled to get good rates but this year the rates have been really good with the result that most of us have already sold our produce,” said Bilal Ahmad a farmer from Lachampora Rajwar area of Handwara.

As farmers are getting good rates of their produce this year, traders dealing in walnut business are reaching farmers at their doorsteps to buy their produce. “I was puzzled to see a trader from Handwara arriving at my home to buy walnut kernels. Usually in the recent years we would sell our produce in Kupwara or Handwara but this season the scenario was altogether different. I wish it persists for years to come,” said Mumtaz Ahmad from Zunrishi Chowkibal area of Kupwara.

Thousands of families in Kupwara are directly associated with walnut cultivation in terms of earning their livelihood, thereby sustaining them throughout the year. Many growers told Greater Kashmir that with proper government support and latest cultivation methods, walnut farming can become a boon for the region’s economy. “Horticulture department should introduce high-density walnut varieties on a large scale and distribute them free of cost to farmers, so that educated youth can also benefit and create sustainable livelihood opportunities within the district,” a local youth, Dr Abdul Qayoom from Qultoora said.

Traders dealing in walnut kernel business said that the high demand from outside Kashmir has been fetching good rates this year. “I have been into the business for many years and haven’t witnessed such good rates in the previous years. Even unbroken walnuts which were being sold for Rs 150 per hundred pieces are this year being sold at Rs 300,” said Ajaz Tantray, a trader from Umerabad Khunbal Handwara.

A horticulture official said that nearly 70 to 80 percent of farmers have already sold their produce in the open market. “Generally the demand for Kupwara walnut kernels remains high every year due to its strong taste. This year the prices have remained stable since the beginning of the harvest process. We hope the rates remain stable for the next few weeks so that the growers will be in a position to sell their stock,” he added.