Pulwama, Sep 23 (KNO): Apple growers dealing in prematurely fallen, or locally termed "Giran" apples in Kashmir are witnessing better returns this season after suffering heavy losses last year.
Speaking with news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said a crate of Giran apples is fetching between Rs 100 and Rs 250, depending on quality and demand, helping them recover part of the expenditure incurred on labour, pesticides and orchard maintenance.
Unlike last year, when highway disruptions severely affected transportation and left large quantities of Giran apples to rot in orchards and collection points, growers said market movement has remained comparatively smoother this season.
"Last year, we had difficulty even finding buyers for Giran apples. A lot of the fruit was left to rot because traders were reluctant to purchase it amid transportation problems," said Nazir Ahmad, an apple grower from Pulwama.
"This year, the situation is comparatively better. We are getting around Rs 100 to Rs 250 per crate, depending on the quality. Though it is not comparable with the price of marketable apples, it still helps us recover some of our costs," he said.
Giran apples are fruits that fall from trees before the normal harvesting period. While they do not command the prices of market-grade produce, they are generally used for juice production and other processing purposes.
Growers said income from Giran fruit has become increasingly important, as even modest returns help offset orchard management costs.
Abdul Hameed, a grower from Shopian, said the difference from last year was evident.
"Last year was extremely difficult. The fruit was falling in large quantities, but there were hardly any buyers. Whatever was collected often remained for days and eventually spoiled," he said.
"This year, traders are lifting the fruit and we are getting some return from it. Rs 100 to Rs 250 a crate may appear small, but when a grower has a large quantity of fallen apples, it provides some financial support."
Last year, growers in several apple-producing areas reported a significant increase in premature fruit fall, with some estimating that 30 to 40 per cent of their produce had become Giran. Repeated disruptions on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway further affected movement of the fruit to outside markets and processing units.
The disruption also impacted roadside mandis and seasonal trading linked to Giran apples, as the fruit deteriorates quickly and cannot be stored for long.
This year, however, growers said timely procurement by traders and smoother movement of goods have helped prevent a repeat of last season's losses.
Growers, however, said prices remain modest and called for strengthening the processing and marketing network for low-grade apples. They said better transportation and stronger linkages with juice and processing units could help minimise wastage and improve returns from prematurely fallen fruit—(KNO)