Climate change leads to decline in apple production for 2nd year in Kashmir

Srinagar, Oct 3: Apple production in Kashmir has plummeted by at least 30% for the second consecutive year due to climate change and erratic weather patterns.

Growers across the region said that a series of adverse weather conditions during the critical fruit set season led to a huge drop in their yields, rep[orts KNO.

Some farmers said that March was characterised by dry, high temperatures, followed by a wet, cool April and a prolonged dry spell that adversely affected fruit production.

These erratic conditions disrupted essential spray schedules and led to outbreaks of scab and other diseases which further diminished an already low harvest, they said, adding that recent hailstorms and the prevalence of leaf miners have severely impacted both the quantity and quality of apple production.

Irshad Ahmad, a grower from Anantnag district, said that in some areas, production has dropped to just 70 percent of last year's yield.

Jahangir Ahmad Dar, a fruit grower from Watchi Shopian, reported a drastic decline in his harvest. "I went from around 1,200 apple boxes last year to barely 300 this year," he said.

He explained that many marginal farmers are struggling to cover the costs of pesticides and fertilizers, particularly since more expensive treatments were necessary to combat diseases.

After years of challenges, including untimely snowfall and hailstorms, growers had hoped for better returns this year, but those hopes have been dashed.

Recent hailstorms in south Kashmir have caused huge damage to apple crops, compelling growers to call for immediate government action, including the implementation of a crop insurance scheme to mitigate their losses.

Bashir Ahmad Bashir, president of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers and Dealers Association, confirmed that overall production has decreased by approximately 30% this year due to erratic spring weather and recent hailstorms.

"The apple industry has been facing several challenges," Bashir said, adding that there is a dire need for a crop insurance scheme to protect growers from future losses.