Climate Change reality hits Kashmir's apple belt

Srinagar, Oct 4: What was once dismissed as a foreign concept has become an undeniable reality for Kashmir's apple farmers, as climate change wreaks havoc on the Valley's prized fruit industry.

The Valley's apple production has witnessed a significant decline this year, primarily due to unprecedented weather patterns and reduced precipitation.

The impact is substantial, with the Kashmir Fruit Growers and Dealers Union reporting a stark 30 to 40 percent reduction in apple production across the region.

Beyond the quantitative decline, farmers are grappling with a noticeable deterioration in fruit quality, further compounding their concerns.

“The situation is dire,” says Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers and Dealers Association President Bashir Ahmad Bashir.  “We've seen production plummet by at least 30 percent for the second consecutive year. The erratic weather patterns have completely disrupted our traditional growing season.”

The changing climate has manifested in various ways throughout the growing season.

March brought unusually dry conditions with high temperatures, followed by an unexpectedly wet and cool April.

A prolonged dry spell then set in, severely impacting fruit development during crucial growth stages.

Local farmers, who once viewed climate change with scepticism, now find themselves at the forefront of its effects.

Muhammad Rafiq, a veteran apple grower from south Kashmir, shares his experience saying: “In my thirty years of farming, I've never seen such unpredictable weather. The trees are stressed, the fruit size is smaller, and the quality isn't what it used to be. We are facing a crisis that's beyond our control.”

The decline in both quantity and quality has sent shockwaves through Kashmir’s agricultural economy.

The apple industry, which employs thousands of families and contributes significantly to the region's economy, faces unprecedented challenges.

Orchards that once produced premium-grade apples are now yielding fruit that barely meets market standards.

Agricultural experts warn that this might be just the beginning of a longer-term crisis.

The combination of rising temperatures, irregular precipitation, and extreme weather events poses a fundamental threat to Kashmir's apple-growing tradition.

The region's unique climate, which once provided perfect conditions for apple cultivation, is showing signs of significant change.

The economic implications extend beyond the orchards.

The entire supply chain, from transporters to cold storage operators, faces uncertainty.

Market prices have already begun to reflect the reduced quality, affecting the livelihoods of countless families dependent on the apple trade.

The transformation of climate change from an abstract concept to a tangible threat serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of agricultural systems to environmental changes.

For Kashmir's apple industry, the future hinges on finding a delicate balance between preserving traditional farming practices and adapting to an increasingly unpredictable climate.

Fruit growers in Kashmir have been pitching for the introduction of crop insurance and MSP to safeguard their interests, however, their demands are yet to be fulfilled.

Horticulture is the mainstay of J&K's economy, from 2018-19 to 2023-24, J&K's fruit production surged from 20.06 lakh metric tonnes to an impressive 26.43 lakh metric tonnes, marking a significant 10 percent growth.

Fresh fruit and dry fruit production has increased from 20.06 lakh MTs in 2018-19 to 26.43 lakh MTs in 2023-24, recording an increase of about 10 percent during these years.

Agriculture and allied sectors need to be viewed as sustainable sources of livelihood.

For this, path-breaking initiatives have been taken to further the interests of farmers, leading to improvement in their incomes.

The horticulture sector has been our silent achiever.

This growth isn't just about numbers; it's about the improved livelihoods of thousands of farmers across the region.