Kashmiri apples
India is ranked as the
6th largest apple producing country. Kashmir produces 70% of its total apple
production. Several challenges have thrown this industry into crisis; from
concerns such as storing the fruit, spurious pesticides in circulation, price
risk faced by growers and contractors, lack of government attention etc.
The apple, (Malus
pumila) is certainly Kashmir's most popular crop. The Apple industry has
become a major sector of the Kashmir Valley’s economy. Kashmir annually exports
20 lac metric tonnes of apple and produces annual revenues of Rs 9000 crore. In
Kashmir, the Apple industry provides direct and indirect jobs to 33 lac people.
As per the survey carried out by the Global
Consulting agency horticulture production of the state contributes about 45% of
total agricultural production of the state, of which 80% is controlled by the
production of apple fruit. The trend of transforming the land into apple
orchards has increased rapidly from the previous few years.
Jammu and Kashmir is
India's largest apple producing region, but it doesn't get what it should have
from the apple industry. The main occupation of the Kashmir valley is the
cultivation of apples, as it accounts for 90% of the total fruit crop in the
valley. This industry faces a number of problems, such as improper marketing
facilities, government ignorance, spurious fungicides/pesticides and lack of
infrastructure.
Every year, 4,00000
tonnes of apples are ruined by the Scab, according to data available, other
diseases such as alter naria, red power and powdery mildew spoil the crop.
Since there is no guarantee of a growing trend in the market price of the fruit
as it fluctuates, price risks are faced by growers and contractors. In the home
market, there is no government support and the perishability of goods also
becomes a near cause of diminished prices.
The issues are
complex, ranging from agronomic aspects to management of pests and diseases,
post-harvest handling, marketing and financing. There will be an improvement in
the situation if priority is given, which will not only increase the quality of
life of the dependent community but the UT as a whole.
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