15/09/2025
Problems Faced by the Apple Industry in South Kashmir
Apple cultivation is more than just an occupation in South Kashmir—it is a way of life. The districts of Shopian, Kulgam, Pulwama, and Anantnag are dotted with orchards, and for lakhs of families, the apple crop is their lifeline. From pruning in winter to harvesting in autumn, every stage of the year revolves around this fruit. Yet, despite being the backbone of the region’s economy, the apple industry continues to face multiple challenges that keep growers uncertain and vulnerable. If these problems are not addressed urgently, the industry risks stagnation, even decline.
1. Role of Apple Industry in GDP of Jammu and Kashmir
The apple industry forms the heart of the horticulture sector, which contributes around 8% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Jammu and Kashmir. Within this, apples hold the lion’s share, with South Kashmir being one of the largest contributors. The revenue generated from apple sales each year runs into thousands of crores, making it a cornerstone of the Union Territory’s economy. In fact, fluctuations in apple production or market rates directly influence the economic health of the region. Strengthening the apple industry, therefore, is not just about helping farmers—it is about stabilizing the economy of Jammu and Kashmir.
2. Role in Providing Employment
The apple industry is also the single largest employer in South Kashmir. Entire families depend on it, directly or indirectly. Orchard owners, landless laborers, women workers, transporters, packers, cold store operators, traders, and commission agents—each one finds their livelihood tied to this fruit. Activities like pruning, spraying, thinning, harvesting, grading, and packing ensure year-round work. During the harvest season, thousands of people migrate from other districts to South Kashmir for employment opportunities in the orchards. Without apples, unemployment would skyrocket, and rural economies would collapse.
3. Issues in Strengthening the Industry
Despite its enormous importance, the apple industry remains fragile. Transport bottlenecks are one of the biggest hurdles. The Srinagar–Jammu highway, which serves as the only major route for apple-laden trucks to reach outside markets, frequently suffers closures due to landslides, rains, or snow. Every closure means stranded trucks, delayed deliveries, and rotting fruit—leading to losses worth crores.
Equally serious is the lack of modern infrastructure. Cold storage units, controlled-atmosphere facilities, and pack houses are few and far between. This forces farmers to sell their produce immediately after harvest, often when markets are flooded and prices are at their lowest. The absence of crop insurance and price stabilization schemes further deepens their financial insecurity.
4. Non-Availability of Anti-Hail Nets
Hailstorms are among the most devastating threats to apple orchards. A few minutes of hail can destroy months of effort by bruising or knocking down the fruit. In developed apple-growing regions of the world, such as Italy and China, anti-hail nets are standard orchard equipment. In South Kashmir, however, these nets remain largely unavailable or unaffordable. Farmers have been demanding subsidies and government-backed schemes for years, but large-scale action has not materialized. Until anti-hail nets are made accessible, every hailstorm will continue to bring untold misery to growers.
5. Absence of Export Policy
Kashmir produces apples that can easily compete with international varieties in terms of taste and quality. Yet, most of the produce is confined to domestic markets such as Delhi, Chandigarh, and Mumbai. This is because Jammu and Kashmir lacks a comprehensive export policy. Without standardized grading, scientific packaging, branding, and certification, Kashmiri apples fail to make a mark globally. As a result, growers remain at the mercy of middlemen and wholesale traders in India. A clear export roadmap, supported by modern infrastructure and government incentives, could open international markets and fetch much higher returns for orchardists.
6. Non-Availability of MSP and Fluctuating Markets
Unlike rice or wheat, apples are not covered under a Minimum Support Price (MSP). Farmers are left exposed to the unpredictable swings of the open market. In bumper years, when production is high, the market is flooded, and prices crash. Small orchardists are forced to sell their fruit at throwaway rates just to avoid spoilage. At the same time, commission agents and middlemen extract a large portion of the profits, while the actual growers are left with little reward for their year-long hard work. The absence of MSP or any price stabilization mechanism is one of the biggest sources of anxiety for apple growers.
7. Lack of Regulatory Authority for Pesticides
Another pressing issue is the unregulated pesticide market. The same pesticide often sells at different prices in different shops, leaving farmers confused and suspicious. In some cases, substandard or spurious pesticides are sold, which not only waste farmers’ money but also harm the crop and soil. At present, there is no strong regulatory body to monitor the quality, pricing, and distribution of pesticides. Establishing a Pesticide Regulatory Authority in Jammu and Kashmir would ensure that only genuine, certified products are available at fair prices. Such a step would safeguard farmers’ investment, improve productivity, and restore confidence in the system.
8. Lack of Experts in the Department of Horticulture and Need for Soil Labs
Institutional weaknesses add another layer of problems. The Department of Horticulture suffers from a shortage of qualified experts and is heavily dependent on SKUAST (Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology) for scientific recommendations. This over-dependence has reduced the department to a mere middleman between growers and SKUAST.
When farmers face urgent issues like pest outbreaks, nutrient deficiencies, or disease attacks, it often takes weeks or even months for advisories to reach them. By the time help arrives, the damage is already done. This slow, bureaucratic system only increases growers’ frustration and losses.
Adding to this problem is the lack of soil testing labs at the block level. Soil health is fundamental to orchard productivity, yet most farmers either skip testing or have to travel long distances for it. Establishing local, well-equipped soil labs would provide farmers with regular testing facilities, helping them apply the right fertilizers and nutrients. This would reduce unnecessary expenditure, improve orchard health, and raise yields.
Conclusion
The apple industry of South Kashmir is not just a crop sector—it is the very foundation of the region’s economy and society. It contributes significantly to the GDP of Jammu and Kashmir, provides employment to lakhs, and sustains rural life. Yet, despite this importance, it continues to face serious challenges: poor infrastructure, lack of anti-hail nets, absence of export policy, volatile markets without MSP, unregulated pesticides, and institutional weaknesses in the Department of Horticulture.
If the government is serious about strengthening this sector, it must take urgent steps:
Improve road connectivity and ensure smooth transport during harvest season.
Expand cold storage and pack house infrastructure across South Kashmir.
Provide subsidized anti-hail nets to protect orchards.
Frame a strong export policy to unlock global markets.
Introduce MSP or a price-support scheme to protect growers from market crashes.
Create a Pesticide Regulatory Authority to ensure genuine products at fair rates.
Strengthen the Department of Horticulture with qualified experts and establish soil testing labs at the block level.
Protecting the apple industry means protecting the livelihood of lakhs of families in South Kashmir. With the right vision and reforms, Kashmir’s apples can shine not only across India but also on the global stage, turning the fruit into a true ambassador of the region’s economy and resilience.
Tahir Ahmad Mir
DDC Kanjiullar
7889909842
