Decades-old olive orchard in Uri awaits revival after years of neglect

Uri, Feb 16: At the Fruit Plant Nursery in Salamabad on the outskirts of Uri in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, rows of olive trees stand quietly across nearly one hectare of land — an orchard planted nearly four decades ago with high hopes under an international collaboration, but later weakened by years of neglect and inadequate scientific management.

The olive orchard was established in 1987–88 under the Indo-Italian Project after experts identified Uri’s agro-climatic conditions as suitable for olive cultivation.

Officials said the natural presence of wild olive, locally known as “Koh,” in the region reinforced confidence that the crop could thrive in this border belt.

Italian olive varieties — Pendolino, Leccino, Frantoio, Coratina, Morolina and Cipressino — were introduced as part of the demonstration project.

“This orchard was developed as a demonstration unit,” said a horticulture official associated with the nursery. “The idea was to encourage local farmers by showing them that olive cultivation is possible in Uri.”

The trees reportedly began bearing fruit in 1996. However, production remained inconsistent over the years. While some seasons recorded moderate output, most witnessed uneven and poor yields.

“Some years the trees bore fruit, some years they didn’t,” said a nursery worker. “There was no consistency. We knew something was wrong, but nothing systematic was done for a long time.”

Officials and workers attribute the decline largely to the absence of proper scientific management.

One of the key issues was the lack of regular pruning. Over time, overcrowded branches reduced sunlight penetration — a critical factor for flowering and fruit development.

“These trees were rarely pruned,” said a local gardener working at the orchard. “The branches became dense and crowded. Gradually, fruiting declined year after year.”

Irrigation was another major challenge. Although olive trees can survive under relatively dry conditions, experts note that fruit development requires a timely water supply during crucial growth stages.

“The trees survived mainly on rainfall,” a worker said. “But survival is different from production. Without irrigation at the right time, fruit development suffers.”

The orchard also struggled due to poor soil and nutrient management. Workers said there was no consistent fertilisation schedule tailored to local soil conditions.

“There was no fixed nutrient plan. Sometimes fertilisers were applied, sometimes not. Everything remained uncertain.”

Recognising these long-standing gaps, the Department of Horticulture has now initiated a rejuvenation programme aimed at restoring productivity. The effort includes rejuvenation pruning, development of irrigation infrastructure and scientific monitoring with technical support from experts at CITH-ICAR and SKUAST-Kashmir. Soil, leaf and fruit samples have already been collected for laboratory analysis to guide future orchard management.

“This orchard cannot be revived overnight,” said an official involved in the programme. “But rejuvenation is the only way to convert it from an unproductive unit into a viable demonstration model.” Residents believe the orchard’s revival could have broader implications for Uri’s farming community, particularly if stable yields are achieved.

“If this orchard begins producing consistently, it will give confidence to farmers,” said a Salamabad resident. “People will believe that olive cultivation can succeed here.”

Today, the Salamabad olive orchard stands at a crossroads — between the promise it once held and the potential it may yet realise. For many in this border region, its revival represents not only an agricultural intervention, but a renewed test of long-term planning and sustainability in fragile, frontier economies.