Suhail Bhat
Srinagar, Aug 12: Almond growers are unable to sell their produce as the Valley lacks a centralized dry fruit market, or Mandi, and they allege the Government’s lack of interest has contributed to its decline.
In recent years, there has been a substantial fall in almond production in the Valley, as producers, fearful of losses, have shifted their focus to apple cultivation. Climate change and less profit, according to experts, are the main reasons for their decision.
According to official data accessible till 2011, the area used for almond production has decreased from 16,418 hectares to 7,107 hectares and production has decreased from 16,537 metric tonnes to 6360 metric tonnes.
The Pulwama and Budgam districts are known for their high-quality almonds, but due to the Government’s indifference towards the crop farmers have shifted to apple production.
The growers said despite being India’s top producer of almonds and other dry fruits, Kashmir has no centralized market or Mandi, forcing farmers to sell their produce at outside markets.
“In absence of a market, growers are required to store their produce for two to three years. The market would have ensured that the crop was sold on time. The Government, like Apple, should open Mandis in Kashmir for almonds,” Mohammad Ramzan, an Almond grower from Pulwama told Excelsior.
The process of almond production is no different from other horticulture crops in Kashmir. In early March, farmers use fertilizers to their fields and start watering them, and by the end of the month, almond flowers are out.
After that, between March and August, growers keep an eye over the fields. They routinely add fertilizers, water, if available, and pray for a sunny summer. However, the farmers rued they lack expert advice in the whole cultivation process.
“None gives us advice on the use of fertilizers and latest agricultural practices,” Farooq Ahamd, another farmer said, adding that every almond grower believes that cultivating almonds brings bad luck, and the Government is unconcerned.
The farmers lamented that despite scientific breakthroughs in agriculture there is no change in almond cultivation. “No one seems to be concerned about the Valley’s almond producers, despite the fact that the almonds produced in Kashmir are delicious,” Ghulam Mohammad, another farmer said, adding that the government has failed to supervise dry fruit production, and it is disheartening to see the state of dry fruit production deteriorates at such a rapid pace.
Inclement weather, according to Kashmir’s Director of Horticulture Aijaz Ahmad Bhat is the main cause of decline in the Valley’s almond land and output. “In Kashmir, apple farming thrives and is more profitable than almond production. As a result, farmers choose the lucrative market of apple cultivation, which is also a major cause for farmers switching from almond to apple cultivation,” he said.
Despite these obstacles, he stated that the administration is attempting to resolve the problem. “In the coming years, we may import varieties from a variety of countries, which will undoubtedly improve our almond production. Furthermore, the horticulture department has selected a number of nurseries where new types will be developed,” he said, adding that they have created a variety of late-season blooming cultivars.
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