Pulwama, Jan 06 (KNO): In a groundbreaking development, the Shahoora area in south Kashmir's Pulwama district is rapidly transforming into a hub for high-density apple varieties, reshaping the traditional orchard landscape.
Hundreds of growers from the Litter Tehsil of Pulwama district are converting their land to cultivate a diverse range of premium apples, which promises not only increased yields but also unique flavours and textures.
Growers from the Litter area of Pulwama told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that a few farmers initially planted high-density varieties and earned handsome returns. Inspired by their success, many more have now prepared land on a large scale to plant high-density apple varieties.
This area, which traditionally did not have any apple orchards, saw some people converting their paddy land into high-density apple orchards. After the experiment yielded grand success, almost everyone in the area started adopting high-density apple farming.
The growers said these new varieties of apples were introduced in Kashmir after 2015. The standout feature of these apples is that they begin bearing fruit just a year after plantation and reach full production in the fourth or fifth year.
They said traditional apple trees start bearing fruit at least ten years after plantation and are typically harvested in November, which sometimes exposes growers to damages due to untimely snowfall. However, high-density apples are harvested in August and are supported by facilities that protect them from hailstorms and other climatic challenges.
Javid Ahmad, who has high-density apples on around 8 kanals of land in the Shahoora area, said this farming method has benefits. "We have prepared fresh 12 kanals and are going for high-density apple farming as it requires low input and labour costs. The quality of such apples is also high, with uniformity in colour and size," he said.
Some of the high-density apple varieties grown in J&K include Jeromine, King Roat, Gala Scarlet, Red Velox, Scarlet Spur-II, Super Chief, Redlum Gala and Auvi Fuji.
The growers added that high-density apples fetch higher market rates compared to traditional varieties, often earning double the returns. “You don't need to wait for decades to get fruit. In the very first year, high-density plants start bearing fruits with a bumper crop every year. It also requires less fertiliser and pesticides,” Javid said.
Farooq Ahmad, another grower, said that only in Niloora village of Shahoora, over 10,000 high-density plants are being planted this year, while around 5,000 were planted last year. "Other villages in the area are also converting hundreds of kanals of land into high-density apple orchards," he said.
Officials said the shift toward high-density orchards involves innovative planting techniques, advanced cultivation methods, and the incorporation of cutting-edge technology. "This transformative approach is attracting attention from apple enthusiasts and industry experts alike," they said, adding that farmers are recognising the potential for enhanced productivity and economic benefits.
One grower shared his success story: "I planted high-density apples on around 3 kanals of land and fetched over 8 lakhs in just two years. The same land would have generated 8 lakhs from paddy cultivation over 100 years."
Horticulture officials told KNO that around 1,500 hectares of land have been brought under high-density apple farming in J&K so far, and efforts are underway to increase this to around 5,500 hectares in the coming years. They noted that a 50 per cent subsidy is provided to orchardists who establish or switch to high-density fruit production.
In September 2015, the then J&K Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed inaugurated the erstwhile State’s first-ever high-density apple orchard at Bamdoora in south Kashmir's Anantnag district.
Kashmir produces over 20 lakh metric tonnes of apples annually, with some years reaching 25 lakh metric tonnes. According to the 2017 economic survey in J&K, half of Kashmir’s population is directly or indirectly dependent on the apple industry, with over 3.5 lakh hectares under apple cultivation.
Horticulture contributes significantly to the state’s Gross Domestic Product (SGDP), accounting for about 9.5 per cent. The sector also generates around 8.50 crore man-days of employment in J&K every year—(KNO)