Srinagar, Aug 18 (KNO): Prices of high-density apples in Kashmir have come down from the peak of Rs 150 per kilogram to around Rs 70 per kilogram this season. However, growers say they are still earning handsome profits compared to traditional apple varieties, thanks to higher yields, lower input costs, and quicker returns on investment.
Scores of farmers across the valley are finding new hope in high-density apple farming, which was introduced in Kashmir around 2015. Unlike traditional apple trees that take nearly a decade to bear fruit, high-density plants begin producing within a year and reach full production by the fourth or fifth year.
“These apples are harvested in August, much before the snowfall season, so we don’t suffer losses like in traditional varieties that are harvested till November,” Mohammad Ashraf, a grower from Pulwama told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
Ashraf revealed that he replaced his old orchard with Red Galla high-density apples last year. “This year, I earned nearly 12 lakh from just eight kanals of orchard. For 15 years, my traditional trees never gave me such returns,” he said.
Farmers say the yield of high-density apples is nearly three times greater than traditional varieties, with up to 80 per cent lower consumption of fertilisers and pesticides. “I invested around Rs 2 lakh in planting high-density apples last year. Within a year, I have already recovered more than half of it,” said Mohammad Ayoub, a farmer from Anantnag.
According to growers, demand remains strong despite the fall in market price. Many customers are even reaching orchards directly to purchase the produce. “Even at Rs 70 per kilogram, the returns are better than what we got from traditional apples,” said another grower.
Experts attribute the success of high-density farming to its efficiency and environmental benefits. “Traditional orchards waste huge quantities of fertiliser and sprays due to tree height, which also leads to soil degradation and pollution,” explained Ansar-ul-Haq, a manager of a company supplying high-density apple plants.
“High-density orchards consume 70 per cent less fertiliser and 80 per cent less pesticide sprays while producing 50 to 70 tonnes of fruit per hectare by the third year, compared to just 10 to 15 tonnes from traditional orchards," Haq added.
Farmers and experts believe that the model not only ensures higher income but also provides a sustainable future for apple cultivation in Kashmir—(KNO)