Almond orchards fade from south Kashmir

Anantnag, Feb 19: Once a defining feature of the higher reaches of South Kashmir, almond orchards that lined the mountain belts of Khiram, Sirhama, Marhama and adjoining villages have steadily vanished over the past two decades, signalling a quiet but profound shift in the region’s horticultural landscape.

For generations, almonds were a traditional dry fruit crop in these upland areas, well-suited to the karewa slopes and cooler climatic conditions.

Elderly residents recall springtime hillsides awash with pink and white blossoms, a seasonal marker as much cultural as agricultural. Today, much of that landscape has been replaced by apple plantations—or concrete.

The decline of almonds in South Kashmir has been gradual rather than sudden. Farmers attribute the shift to a combination of falling prices, erratic yields, climate stress and the rapid rise of high-density apple plantations. Over time, repeated crop failures discouraged growers, pushing them towards more remunerative alternatives.

“Earlier, almonds were considered reliable in these higher belts,” said Abdul Hameed, an orchardist who has since switched to apples. “But year after year, production declined. Eventually, it stopped making economic sense.”

Official data from the Department of Horticulture underscores the scale of the decline.

In the Bijbehara and Srigufwara sub-divisions of Anantnag district, almond orchards covered about 225 hectares in 2008–09, producing 112 metric tonnes. By 2015–16, the area had shrunk to 150 hectares with output falling to 80 metric tonnes. The sharpest drop came in 2016–17, when cultivation was reduced to just eight hectares, with production plunging to eight metric tonnes—a level that remains unchanged in 2025–26.

Horticulture officials confirm that almond acreage in South Kashmir has contracted sharply over the last 20 years, though detailed village-level data is limited.

Multiple factors have driven the decline. Climate variability has emerged as a major concern, with farmers citing untimely rain during flowering, sudden snowfall and late spring frosts that damage blossoms and reduce fruit setting. Warmer winters in some years have also disrupted the chilling hours essential for healthy almond yields.

Dr Suhail Nazir Bhat points to a broader mix of structural issues. “Inclement weather during blooming, frost damage, uneven rainfall and the shift to more remunerative enterprises like high-density apple plantations have all affected almond cultivation,” he said.

He added that poor market strategies, lack of dedicated dry fruit mandis, competition from imported almonds—particularly from California—and limited availability of quality planting material further weakened the crop’s prospects.

Pest attacks and fungal diseases, once relatively uncommon in almonds, have also increased. Growers say almonds received far less technical support compared to apples, including limited guidance on spraying schedules and disease management.

“The almond crop has a long gestation period and uncertain returns,” said Waqar Ahmad, an orchardist from Bijbehara. “Apples, on the other hand, offer quicker and more predictable income, especially with improved varieties and better market access.”

While apple cultivation benefited from subsidies, extension services and inclusion in flagship horticulture schemes, almonds gradually slipped out of policy focus. As profitability declined, apple trees replaced almond orchards across South Kashmir’s higher belts, a trend further reinforced by the success of high-density apple plantations promising higher yields per kanal.

Even where almonds continue to be grown, market value has weakened. Traders cite stiff competition from imported almonds, which dominate urban shelves due to uniform size, packaging and year-round availability. Inconsistent quality and changing consumer preferences have further eroded demand for local produce.

Beyond economics, locals say the disappearance of almond orchards marks the fading of an agricultural heritage once closely tied to the region’s identity—its spring blossoms now largely a memory.

By: Arif Bashir