Srinagar, August 22, 2025 – Kashmir, long celebrated for its lush almond orchards, is witnessing a quiet transformation. The region’s iconic almond trees, woven into its cultural and poetic heritage, are being uprooted to make way for high-density apple orchards, driven by economic pressures, environmental challenges, and shifting agricultural priorities.Economic Pull of Apples: The shift is primarily economic. High-density apple orchards, which yield fruit within 1–3 years, offer farmers significantly higher returns compared to almonds, which take longer to mature and lack robust market support. The Jammu and Kashmir government’s Modified High-Density Plantation Scheme (2021–2026) provides 50% subsidies and loans for apple cultivation, incentivizing farmers to transition.
“Apples pay better and faster,” said Abdul Rasheed Reshie, a farmer in Pulwama. Official data paints a stark picture: almond cultivation has dwindled from 16,775 hectares in 2001–02 to just 3,630 hectares by 2017–18, with apples dominating the landscape.
Environmental and Practical Challenges: Almond orchards face mounting threats. Porcupine infestations in districts like Pulwama, Shopian, and Budgam have devastated trees, peeling bark and killing them within months. “Porcupines destroyed half my almond orchard,” said Ghulam Nabi Dar, a Budgam farmer who switched to apples. Erratic weather, including untimely rains during almond flowering, further reduces yields. Conversely, high-density apple varieties, supported by drip irrigation and hail nets, are more resilient and suited to Kashmir’s climate, requiring less water and labor.
Lack of Support for Almonds: Unlike apples, which benefit from established grading, packing, and marketing systems, almonds suffer from a lack of infrastructure. Farmers lament the absence of a dedicated dry fruit market or minimum support prices. The horticulture department’s failure to address almond-specific diseases and pests has further eroded confidence, pushing growers toward apples or even selling land for construction amid rapid urbanisation.
Cultural Heritage at Risk: The decline of almond orchards is more than an agricultural shift—it’s a cultural loss. Almonds, celebrated in Kashmiri poetry and folklore, are vanishing from areas like Renzipora, Koil, and Tral, once renowned for their quality. “Our almonds are part of our identity,” said Muneer Ahmad, a Pulwama farmer.
“But without support, we can’t afford to keep them.” While the government has piloted high-density almond plantations, the lack of equivalent incentives compared to apples limits their appeal.A Call for Balance: Farmers and experts urge action to preserve Kashmir’s almond legacy. Suggestions include stricter land-use regulations, financial incentives for almond growers, and a dedicated dry fruit mandi. Without intervention, the Valley risks losing a cherished symbol of its heritage to the march of economic pragmatism.
