Srinagar, Sep 30 (KNO): The much-celebrated apple grading lines, once hailed as a game-changer for Kashmir’s horticulture sector, are lying idle this harvesting season as growers avoid sending their produce for grading and packing.
Owners of these facilities, speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said they are facing massive losses, with the units operating far below capacity.
Over the past few years, grading lines were introduced in Kashmir to modernise the apple industry, ensuring standardised packaging and better returns in national and international markets.
The machines sort apples by size and quality, making them more appealing to buyers. However, this season, growers are reluctant to use them.
Farmers said that given the prevailing slump in demand and falling rates, grading has become meaningless. “Whether apples are packed in a modern or traditional way, the market isn’t paying. We are already dealing with fruit fall, freight issues, and low prices. At this stage, we just want to finish harvesting quickly,” said Abdul Rashid, an orchardist from Shopian.
Grading line owners, however, say the situation has left them helpless. “We invested crores into setting up these units after being encouraged by the government. For the first two years, things looked promising. But this year, not even 20% of the expected produce has reached our unit. We are sitting idle, paying workers and maintenance costs without any returns,” said Bilal Ahmad, who owns a grading line in Pulwama.
Another unit holder, Showkat Hussain, echoed the same concern. “Farmers think grading will not make a difference because rates are low. But they don’t realise that if we stop using these facilities, our fruit will never get the recognition in competitive markets. We are being forced into losses as our machines and cold storage remain empty.”
The horticulture department had earlier projected that grading lines would bring a paradigm shift in Kashmir’s apple industry, making its produce more competitive. Indeed, in previous seasons, growers who adopted the system managed to fetch better returns. But this year’s market crash, coupled with high fruit fall and frequent highway disruptions, has discouraged farmers from investing in additional processes.
Farmers said the crisis is beyond their control. “Last year, I graded and packed my apples, and the difference in rates was visible. But this year, when buyers aren’t ready to pay even for quality fruit, spending on grading is like adding fuel to the fire,” said Nazir Ahmad, a grower from Kulgam.
Industry experts believe that abandoning grading lines, even temporarily, could harm Kashmir’s reputation in larger markets. “It took years to establish a culture of standard packaging. If growers step back now, the region risks losing its competitive edge,” they said.
For now, grading line owners say they can only hope for government intervention or a revival in demand. “We thought these machines would not only help farmers but also strengthen Kashmir’s economy. But today, we are staring at bankruptcy,” said Bilal Ahmad, a grower.
The crisis has once again come to the fore of the volatility of Kashmir’s horticulture sector, where every link—from orchard to market—is deeply vulnerable to climate, logistics, and market fluctuations—(KNO)