Anantnag, July 13,2026-Cheki-Ishardas, a Pashto-speaking village near Anantnag in South Kashmir, has transformed into a thriving hub of watermelon cultivation, with the fruit becoming the village’s primary cash crop and a symbol of its changing agricultural landscape.
The journey began in 2008 when progressive farmer Muhammad Aslam Khan introduced watermelon cultivation in the village. What started as an individual initiative has now evolved into a community-wide success story, with nearly 80–85% of households engaged in watermelon farming.
Over the years, watermelon cultivation has significantly improved farmers’ incomes and created a distinct agricultural identity for Cheki-Ishardas. The village is now widely recognised across the region for producing quality watermelons during the summer season.
This year, Muhammad Aslam Khan has expanded his cultivation by growing five different varieties of watermelons, including a new yellow watermelon, offering consumers a unique taste and appearance while encouraging crop diversification.
Farmers say the favourable climate, fertile soil, and increasing market demand have made watermelon cultivation a profitable alternative to traditional crops. As the harvest season progresses, traders and buyers from different parts of Kashmir visit the village to purchase fresh produce directly from the fields.
The success of Cheki-Ishardas highlights how innovation, community participation, and diversification in agriculture can strengthen rural livelihoods and create new economic opportunities. Today, the village’s reputation extends beyond its Pashtun heritage, earning recognition as one of Kashmir’s emerging centres for watermelon cultivation.
