As weather turns erratic, Kashmir’s apple growers count the cost

Srinagar, Feb 27: In Kashmir, an apple orchard is far more than an agricultural enterprise. It represents inheritance, long-term investment, and for thousands of families, the primary source of livelihood. For generations, growers have built their lives around a delicate seasonal rhythm — the chill of winter, the promise of spring bloom, and the anticipation of an autumn harvest.

That balance, growers say, is now visibly shifting.

Across the Valley, orchardists increasingly report changing weather patterns that are disrupting traditional cultivation cycles.

Winters no longer provide the prolonged chilling required for uniform flowering, while irregular snowfall and rising temperatures are affecting productivity in ways that are difficult to predict.

The impact is no longer theoretical. Uneven blooming, inconsistent fruit set, and fluctuating yields have become common concerns. What once followed a predictable rhythm now carries growing uncertainty.

“We have grown apples all our lives, but the weather is no longer the same. Every season brings a new worry, and we are never sure what to expect,” said Muhammad Yousuf Bhat, an orchardist from Anantnag.

Adding to growers’ worries is a noticeable rise in pest pressure. Farmers report increased infestations of leaf blotch, miner and spider mites — pests often linked to warmer and drier conditions — which weaken tree health and compromise fruit quality.

Even routine pests are behaving differently. Aphid infestations during the summer months are proving harder to control, with many farmers noting that insects reappear within 10 to 15 days of spraying. Pesticide resistance is increasingly blamed, forcing repeated applications and escalating costs.

Canker disease has also emerged as a major concern. Described by growers as persistent and destructive, its rising incidence is causing significant economic losses, particularly for small and marginal farmers.

The recently concluded season highlighted climatic unpredictability. Prolonged dry conditions affected fruit development, followed by heavy rains near harvest time that triggered pre-harvest fruit drop. Harvesting and transportation were disrupted by rains and road blockades, delaying market access for a highly perishable crop.

“Climate variability is directly affecting chilling accumulation, pest dynamics and disease incidence in temperate fruit crops. Without diversification and climate-resilient orchard management, economic risks will continue to intensify,” said orchard expert Waqar Ahmad.

These trends underline a stark reality: climate change is no longer a distant environmental concern but a lived economic challenge for Kashmir’s horticulture sector.

Experts point to diversification as a key pathway to resilience. Introducing apple varieties with differing chilling requirements and expanding crop diversity can reduce risk and buffer growers against erratic weather patterns. Dependence on a single crop or variety, they warn, amplifies vulnerability.

Despite mounting challenges, growers continue to adapt by adopting improved practices and seeking technical guidance. However, large-scale resilience will require stronger institutional support, including better extension services, reliable weather advisories, improved storage infrastructure and effective strategies to address pesticide resistance.

For Kashmir’s farmers, orchards are built with patience measured in decades. Protecting apple cultivation is not merely about preserving an industry, but about securing livelihoods, sustaining rural communities, and safeguarding a vital part of the region’s economic and cultural fabric.

By: Arif Bashir