Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir – October 15, 2023 – In a welcome relief for the agricultural community, Kashmir has witnessed a bumper almond harvest this season, leading to a significant boost in farmer incomes. The region’s almond orchards, renowned for producing some of the world’s finest nuts, have yielded an estimated 20% increase in output compared to the previous year, thanks to favourable early-season weather and improved farming techniques. However, experts warn that weather shifts, rising imports, and shrinking farmland could pose serious threats to the sustainability of this vital crop.
Local farmers in districts like Sopore, Baramulla, and Kupwara report harvesting upwards of 15,000 metric tons of almonds, a stark contrast to the subdued yields of 2022, which were hampered by erratic rainfall and pest infestations. “This year’s harvest has been a godsend,” said Ghulam Hassan, a 55-year-old orchard owner from north Kashmir. “We’ve seen our incomes double, allowing us to invest in better irrigation and family needs. It’s a much-needed economic uplift in these tough times.”
The surge in production has not only padded farmer incomes but also invigorated local markets. Almond prices have stabilised at around ₹250-300 per kilogram in wholesale markets, attracting buyers from across India and even international exporters. According to the Jammu and Kashmir Horticulture Department, the bumper crop is expected to contribute over ₹500 crore to the regional economy, underscoring almonds’ role as a key cash crop alongside apples and walnuts.
Yet, beneath the optimism lies a cloud of concerns. Climate experts attribute the successful harvest to an unusually mild winter and timely spring rains, but they caution that ongoing weather shifts – including rising temperatures and unpredictable monsoons driven by climate change – could disrupt future cycles. “Kashmir’s fragile ecosystem is under strain,” noted Dr. Ayesha Khan, a climatologist at the University of Kashmir. “We’ve already seen frost damage in lower altitudes; if weather shifts intensify, almond yields could plummet by 30-40% in the coming years.”
Adding to the woes are surging imports of cheaper almonds from California and Australia, which have flooded Indian markets and undercut local producers. Government data shows that India imported over 50,000 tons of almonds last year, pricing out domestic growers during lean seasons. “Imports are killing our margins,” lamented another farmer, Rafiq Ahmed. “We need protective tariffs to safeguard our almond harvest.”
Compounding these issues is the rapid shrinking farmland due to urbanisation, real estate development, and water scarcity. In the past decade, Kashmir has lost nearly 10% of its arable land to non-agricultural uses, with almond orchards particularly vulnerable in peri-urban areas. Initiatives like the government’s “Horticulture Mission” aim to reclaim and modernise farmland, but farmers say more needs to be done to combat land fragmentation and soil degradation.
As the season progresses, stakeholders are calling for urgent policy interventions, including subsidies for climate-resilient varieties, stricter import controls, and land conservation programs. For now, the bumper almond harvest offers a glimmer of hope, but without addressing weather shifts, imports, and shrinking farmland, Kashmir’s almond farmers may face an uncertain future.
