Srinagar, Sep 18 (KNO): A study has revealed that walnut cultivation in Kashmir can generate substantial returns for growers but remains highly dependent on labour and faces several productivity and market-related challenges.
The study, accessed by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), based on data collected from 240 walnut growers in four south Kashmir districts, examined the economics and profitability of walnut production during the agricultural season.
It found that walnut cultivation generated Rs 5.35 in returns for every rupee spent, indicating a cost-benefit ratio of 1:5.35.
For orchards with about 80 walnut trees per hectare, the researchers estimated production at 3,560 kg and the total cost of cultivation at Rs 83,825 per hectare.
The corresponding gross return was estimated at Rs 5.31 lakh per hectare, while the net return stood at about Rs 4.48 lakh, the study said.
However, labour emerged as the largest component of production costs, accounting for nearly 80 per cent of the total expenditure.
The researchers found that activities such as harvesting, picking and guarding orchards required substantial labour inputs during the production cycle.
The study also found considerable variation in walnut prices, with growers receiving between Rs 100 and Rs 165 per kg depending on factors such as shell hardness, kernel colour, taste and dryness.
Productivity was influenced by several factors, including the use of farmyard manure and chemical fertilisers, labour availability, tree density, women's participation and farmers' access to agricultural information, it said.
Despite the high economic returns, walnut growers reported a number of constraints, including inadequate access to extension services, credit facilities and technical training.
The researchers called for stronger agricultural extension programmes and better access to institutional credit and training to improve productivity and strengthen the walnut sector.
They also recommended greater dissemination of scientific information among growers to help them adopt improved cultivation practices.
The study was conducted in Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian districts and was based on field data from the 2018-19 production period.
The researchers cautioned that improving productivity and addressing constraints faced by growers would be important for sustaining the economic potential of walnut cultivation in the region.
The findings provide an assessment of the economics of walnut production based on the study-period costs and returns and do not represent current 2026 market prices or farm incomes—(KNO)