Introduction

Kashmir, often called the “fruit bowl” of India, has for centuries been known for its lush orchards, especially apples, walnuts, cherries, almonds, and other temperate fruits. The fruit (horticulture) sector is more than just agriculture for the region: it is deeply embedded in Kashmiri society, economy, labour, even identity. Millions of people—farmers, pickers, transporters, traders—depend on this industry.
Yet in recent years, that industry is facing serious trouble: climate change, infrastructural bottlenecks, policy neglect, rising input costs, competition from imports, post-harvest losses, and logistical failures. What once was a flourishing, proud horticultural economy is now often described as in a “shambles.” This article explores the history, current status, major challenges, and possible ways forward for the fruit industry in Kashmir.

Historical Background: Rise of the Horticulture Sector
Growth and Significance

Kashmir’s horticulture sector has seen substantial growth over the past few decades. The area under fruit cultivation has increased significantly—figures show that from about 2.21 lakh hectares in 2001, the area rose to around 3.31 lakh hectares by 2018 19.
Similarly, fruit production has more than doubled in many cases. For example, in 2001 fruit production was around 10.9 lakh metric tonnes, which increased to about 24.44 lakh metric tonnes by 2018 19.
Among fruits, apples have always held a place of pride: they are the dominant crop, occupying a large share (often cited around 60 65%) of total fruit production. Walnuts, almonds, cherries, and dry fruits also contribute significantly.
Economic and Social Importance
Horticulture is a major job provider. Around 7 lakh farming families (roughly 35 lakh people, considering family members and related labour) are directly or indirectly dependent on fruit cultivation in Jammu & Kashmir.
It contributes meaningfully to the Gross Domestic Product of the region—various reports suggest horticulture including fruit is one of the top contributors to Jammu & Kashmir’s economy.

Current Status: Signs of Trouble

Despite the strong historical base, the fruit industry in Kashmir is showing many alarming signs, suggesting a decline in health. Some key observations:

Declining Apple Production

Apple yields are falling. Reports say production has dropped by ~40% in some years due to disease (e.g. scab), untimely weather, hailstorms, etc
Smaller / lower grade apples are suffering both in quality and price

Massive Losses due to Logistical Disruptions

Repeated closure of the Jammu Srinagar National Highway (NH 44), especially during the harvest season, causes fruit laden trucks to be stranded for days. The perishable fruit spoils, leading to huge losses.
Estimated losses run into hundreds of crores of rupees. For example, the fruit industry in a recent season has been estimated to suffer about Rs 700 crore loss due to these disruptions.

Climate Change and Unpredictable Weather

Kashmir’s fruit crops, especially apples, are sensitive to snow cover, chilling hours, and timing of snowfall/disturbances. Reports indicate snowless winters, early snowfall (before harvest), hailstorms and unseasonal rains causing damage
Some studies suggest a large percentage of orchards suffer mild to severe damage during such events. J

Rising Costs of Inputs and Labour

The cost of pesticides, fertilizers, labour, wooden packing boxes, transportation etc has risen significantly. Farmers are finding profit margins shrinking.
High cost of spraying, disease control, and the need for more frequent interventions due to climate stress add to burdens.
Inadequate Post Harvest Infrastructure
Lack of cold storage facilities, limited capacity of CA (controlled atmosphere) storage. For example, though production is tens of lakhs of metric tonnes, the capacity for storing fruit under cold conditions is far less.
Poor market infrastructure in many mandis: sheds, proper packing, protection from weather, dust, etc are lacking.

Competition from Imports and Market Pressures

Imported apples (from other countries) and apples from other Indian states compete in the market, sometimes at lower duties / costs, which puts pressure on Kashmiri apples.
Quality issues (blemishes, damage, poor grading) reduce realization for local fruit. Middlemen often capture much of the profits, leaving growers with less.

Policy Gaps

Delays or inadequate implementation of government schemes like Market Intervention Scheme (MIS), crop insurance, subsidies, cold chain modernization.
Some government budgets do not sufficiently allocate for horticulture, despite its importance

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Why “Shambles”?

Putting together all the challenges above, the term “shambles” is unfortunately apt in many respects. Some of the reasons:
Waste and loss are huge: fruits spoil due to delays, weather, or poor infrastructure. Much of what is produced may never fetch good market value.
Uncertainty: farmers cannot reliably predict income due to weather, price volatility, and disruptions.
Fragmented systems: many growers are small, unable to invest in modern practices or infrastructure, rely on local intermediaries, lack market access.
Lack of resilience: the system is vulnerable to climate signals, market shifts, and administrative failures.

Detailed Challenges

Let’s dive deeper into some of the critical issues.

Climate and Environmental Challenges

Untimely snow / early or late snowfall: Snow arriving before harvest can damage fruit; lack of snow means insufficient chilling hours needed by fruit trees. Both hurt yield. J=
Hailstorms, frost, unseasonal rains: Damage blossoms, fruit, leaves. May lead to fruit cracking, decreased quality.
Dry winters / snowless winters: Reduced snow cover means less water storage in the soil, reduced chilling, and less moisture for trees.

Infrastructure and Transportation

Road closures (e.g., NH 44) sever access during critical times; fruit perishes en route.
Storage limitations: Cold storage, CA storage facilities are limited. After harvest, fruit cannot always be kept in good condition until markets are ready.
Market facilities in many mandis (fruit markets) are underdeveloped: sheds, grading/packing units, hygiene, etc. Traders often use makeshift sheds.

Input Costs, Labour and Farming Practices

High cost of labour, rising wages for pickers, sprayers etc.
Pest and disease management: Pesticides may be expensive; quality pesticides or biological control may be lacking. Diseases like apple scab, pests like woolly aphid, codling moth are recurring issue
Traditional orchard practices: many growers do not have access to modern training, high‐density planting, improved varieties, better irrigation (drip etc.). This limits yield and efficiency.

Market, Policy & Competition

Competition from cheaper imports, with sometimes lower quality but lower price, undercuts local produce. Changes in import duties (e.g. apples) also hurt local growers.
Lack of strong branding / value chain: while Kashmir is known for fine apples, inconsistent quality and damage (physical, blemishes) reduce premium.
Middlemen / margin capture: growers often have to sell early / cheaply if they cannot wait; many costs are borne by the farmer, but profits are taken by intermediaries.

Institutional & Policy Gaps

Poorly or partially implemented government schemes: funds delayed, insufficient reach.
Limited insurance: crop insurance schemes are minimal or inaccessible for many growers; when damage occurs from weather, farmers can lose nearly everything.
Budget allocations not always matching needs. While horticulture is important, the financial and infrastructural support often lags.

Case Studies & Recent Crises
To illustrate, here are some specific instances.

Highway disruptions and losses: In 2025, floods and landslides closed the Jammu Srinagar highway for prolonged periods. Thousands of trucks carrying fruit, especially apples, were stranded, leading to spoilage and losses estimated in hundreds of crores of rupees.
40% drop in apple production: Due to weather extremes, disease, etc., some reports indicate a 40% decline in production in certain years.
Snowless winters threatening viability: Lack of sufficient snow and unseasonal weather have forced farmers to express grave concern about chilling needs of trees, water availability, and overall yield.

Prospects: What Can Be Done

Despite the many problems, there are paths to rejuvenate the industry. Several policy measures, innovations, and strategic shifts can help. Here are potential ways forward:

Climate Resilient Farming & Improved Practices

High‐density planting: Using improved varieties that produce earlier, more fruit per tree per area, and maybe less susceptible to damage.
Improved pest & disease management: Use of certified, high quality pesticides; integrated pest management; biological controls; disease resistant varieties.
Improved irrigation & water management: Drip irrigation; soil moisture conservation; water harvesting; ensuring snow recharge where possible.
Protective infrastructure: Hail nets, frost protection (e.g., wind machines, covers), early warning systems for weather.

2. Infrastructure & Cold Chains

Expand storage capacity: More cold storage units, CA storage, pre cooling facilities, pack houses.
Improve packing, grading, quality control: Good packaging, standardized grading so fruit fetches premium prices.
Better transport logistics: Ensuring reliable routes, contingency plans for road blockages; using rail or alternative corridors when roads fail.

3. Market Reforms & Value Addition

Branding and marketing: Build strong identity for Kashmiri apples and dry fruits; promote quality; distinguish from imports.
Processing & value addition: Juice, jams, dried fruits, nectars, export of processed fruit to reduce dependence on fresh fruit markets.
Better access to markets: Integration with e NAM (Electronic National Agricultural Market); more fruit and vegetable mandis with modern infrastructure.

Policy, Subsidies & Insurance

Crop insurance schemes must be expanded and made accessible, with fair compensation for weather or pest losses.
Subsidies for inputs: Cheaper, certified seeds; assistance for pesticides; help for new infrastructure (cold storage, drip irrigation etc.).
Regulation of imports / trade policies: Adjust import duties or regulations to protect local growers, especially when imported fruit undercuts local cost with unfair pricing or quality.

5. Institutional Strengthening & R&D

Research: Universities like SKUAST should continue and expand their work on disease resistance, climate change adaptation, and better varieties.
Extension services: Better training for farmers in modern techniques; outreach to remote orchardists.
Monitoring and early warnin: Weather forecasting, pest/disease surveillance.
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Opportunities & Silver Linings

There are several positive signals and opportunities for renewal in the Kashmiri fruit sector.
The horticulture sector has shown substantial growth in production and area under cultivation over past decades.
There are government initiatives aimed at improving market infrastructure. For example, integrating mandis with electronic markets, expanding fruit/vegetable markets, and increasing access to better facilities.
Local innovations are emerging: small entrepreneurs experimenting with packaging, cold chain, improving farm practices.
Exports of dry and fresh fruits have potential: there is demand both domestically and internationally for high quality apples, walnuts, almonds etc.

Conclusion

The fruit industry of Kashmir stands at a crossroads. On one hand, it has the natural endowments (climate, soil, tradition), human resources, and domestic & international demand to flourish. On the other hand, the accumulation of challenges—climate variability, infrastructure deficits, cost pressures, policy neglect—threatens its very viability.
If the region does not act promptly and decisively—modernizing practices, strengthening infrastructure, protecting growers through fair policies and insurance, and adapting to climatic shifts—the proud orchards of Kashmir may continue to deteriorate, resulting in economic, social, and cultural loss.