Srinagar: The horticulture season in Kashmir has kicked off with promising signs, as farmers and traders report a peak in demand for pears and early apple of-late the favourable weather conditions this year have contributed to a robust start for the region’s fruit industry, which is crucial to the local economy.Farmers in the Kashmir valley are seeing strong interest in their pear harvest, with both local and national markets expressing high demand. This trend is expected to continue as the season progresses, buoyed by the superior quality of this year’s crop.“There is currently a good demand for pears across India. The rates are comparatively better and supply is also good,” said president Parimpora Fruit Mandi Bashir Ahmad Bashir.Early apple varieties are also experiencing significant demand, with buyers eager to secure the first of the season’s apples. This surge in interest is attributed to the high-quality yield and emergence of new varieties in the market.“We have a few varieties of apples also coming and have a great demand in the market now. We expect further escalation in the demand ahead as more varieties of apples hit the market in the months of September and October,” Bashir said.Ishaq Ahmad A dealer from Sopore fruit mandi, said that dozens of trucks leave on an average daily from the fruit market to various mandis of India.“More than a dozen trucks leave mandi on an average daily currently to various markets of India. Majority of the apples and pears are currently shipped to New Delhi’s Azadpur mandi,” he said.Similarly, the flow of early apple varieties and pears too have been enhanced at Parimpora mandi where dozens of trucks leave for various markets of India.Pertinently, this year the prolonged dry weather has casted a shadow on the horticulture sector. The valley for the last one week has been receiving timely rainfall which the growers said has revived the apple crop.Horticulture is the mainstay of Kashmir’s economy with seven lakh families directly and indirectly associated with the sector. Horticulture contributes eight percent to the Gross State Domestic Product of Jammu and Kashmir.More than 3.38 lakh hectares of land is under the fruit cultivation in the valley. Of which 1.62 lakh hectares is under the apple cultivation—(KNO)
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