Struggling apple farmers

Prolonged dry weather and heatwaves this year have significantly impacted Kashmir's apple industry. A 35% rainfall deficit from June to September, with Shopian experiencing an 81% shortfall have led to reduced juiciness, increased pest infestations, apple scalds, and cracking, among apples. This has diminished the crop's quality and shelf life. Farmers have complained that the continuous exposure to sunlight has damaged the fruit, while stem cankers were also found in drier areas. This, in turn, has affected prices, a serious cause of concern considering that horticulture is one of the major contributors to the Valley’s economy.

Kashmir accounts for about 78 percent of India's annual apple production, totalling around 25-26 lakh metric tonnes (MTs). In Kashmir itself, apple farming is one of the primary sources of employment, engaging nearly 3.5 million farmers, which constitutes 27 percent of the region's population. The export of apples contributes over 8 percent to the region's GDP.

Past several years have also witnessed major fluctuations in apple produce due to unseasonal snow and rains. According to horticulturists, shifting weather patterns are affecting the pollination of apple trees which, in turn, reduces the apple yield. This happens due to the low temperatures during the flowering stage.  This year, several areas in Kashmir including the Affarwat area of Gulmarg, Razdan Top, Zojilla, Sadhna Top and Sinthan Top experienced snowfall in June, resulting in fall in mercury. So, the farmers suffered either major losses in production or diminishing of apple quality. Consequently, the apple box which would have normally fetched Rs 1000 gets a meagre Rs 200, not even sufficient to compensate the input costs.

Despite these challenges, there have been some positives. As reported in this paper, the dry conditions resulted in minimal losses due to apple scab, a common disease that often plagues orchards. Overall, the dry weather has caused heightened stress for cultivators, with many struggling to maintain quality and profitability in the face of adverse climate conditions. While we can’t do much about climate change, both the UT and central government need to step in to alleviate losses of the apple farmers. And this can be done by providing crop insurance and placing restrictions on duty-free apple imports.