Valley’s largest fruit mandi joins chorus to seek Rs 2,000 crore revival package for horticulture

Sopore, Nov 20: Being the Valley’s largest fruit mandi, the growers and dealers at Sopore Fruit Mandi have suffered Rs 1,000 crore losses this year till now, owing to extreme weather conditions and haltage of trucks on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, especially during the August period.

Fayaz Ahmad Malik, President of the Fruit Growers and Dealers Association, Sopore said even today 250 to 300 trucks were moving out of the Sopore Mandi on a daily basis for outside mandis. “The mandi has achieved a turnover between Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 crore so far this year, and the figure is expected to rise further as the trading season continues. The Sopore Mandi has been the backbone of our rural economy for decades,” Malik said, emphasising that thousands of households depend on the fruit business for their survival. However, Malik said the mandi has suffered Rs 1,000 crore losses this year till now, mainly due to the natural calamity which J&K experienced in August this year.

Notably, Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union held an emergency meeting at Fruit Mandi, Sopore on Wednesday and sought reasonable and comprehensive package of compensation of losses of approximately Rs 2,000 crore suffered by Valley based fruit growers, traders and buyers due to extreme weather in August this year.

Malik said Sopore fruit trading hub continues to lack basic amenities, prompting growers to demand urgent government intervention. The mandi, often tagged as the “Apple Town of Asia”, stands as a symbol of Kashmir’s horticultural strength and economic resilience. Recognised as Asia’s second-largest fresh fruit market, this mandi in north Kashmir’s Sopore town continues to flourish as a vital trading hub linking the valley’s growers to over 400 fruit mandis across India, and maintaining direct trade relations with neighbouring countries including Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan.

The mandi operates for nearly nine months a year, handling thousands of truckloads of apples, pears, and other fruits that travel daily to major Indian cities and export destinations. The market not only supports growers and dealers but also provides direct and indirect employment to thousands of families, including farmers, transporters, packers, commission agents, labourers, traders, and drivers, making it the economic lifeline of north Kashmir.

Malik expressed deep concern over the lack of government attention toward the mandi’s infrastructure and growers’ welfare. He urged the authorities to modernize the mandi by improving road connectivity, drainage, cold storage facilities, and grading units. “We appeal to the government to prioritize infrastructural development in Sopore Mandi, which has remained neglected despite its massive contribution to the region’s economy,” he said.

The association president further appealed for the implementation of a comprehensive crop insurance policy to safeguard fruit growers from losses due to natural calamities, hailstorms, untimely rains, and pest attacks. He also urged the government to waive off the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loans for farmers.

In a message directed to growers, Malik cautioned against the excessive use of pesticides and Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs), stressing the importance of adopting scientific and environment-friendly horticultural practices. “Overuse of chemicals not only harms the quality of our produce but also affects the soil and ecosystem. We must adopt sustainable farming methods to maintain the reputation of Kashmiri apples in national and international markets,” he added.

The Sopore Fruit Mandi, established decades ago, continues to play a pivotal role in uplifting Kashmir’s economy, acting as a bridge between local growers and global consumers. With adequate government support, infrastructure upgrades, and sustainable practices, experts believe that the mandi can potentially surpass its current turnover and emerge as South Asia’s leading fresh fruit trading hub in the near future.