SRINAGAR: Srinagar, known for its picturesque winter landscapes, is currently facing an atypical and unsettling phenomenon – a snowless winter. This climatic anomaly is casting a shadow over Kashmir’s thriving Rs 10,000 crore fruit industry, raising serious concerns within the Valley.
The apprehension is rooted in the fear that the absence of snow, combined with unpredictable weather patterns, poses a significant threat to the vitality of the fruit industry. The challenges faced by the fruit sector in 2023 due to climate change have intensified with the unfolding winter of the current year.
Bashir Ahmad Basheer, Chairman of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Association, expressed deep concern about the current climatic conditions. He highlighted the essential role of winter snow, emphasizing its importance for providing crops a chilling period and maintaining soil moisture for irrigation during the hot summer months. The absence of snow can lead to a change in weather patterns, causing crop destruction and substantial losses for farmers.
Recalling the challenges in 2023, Basheer stated, “In 2023, our losses were 40 percent as weather patterns led to an increase in scab and also damaged crops.”
Muhammad Ashraf Wani, a prominent fruit grower and former president of Fruit Mandi Shopian, echoed the concerns, pointing out that the ongoing snowless winter during Chillai Kalan, the harshest phase of winter, is worrisome for the farming community. The dry spell is expected to result in water shortages, significantly impacting yield and quality, with warmer temperatures potentially triggering early flowering of stone fruits.
Farmers and stakeholders are closely monitoring the situation, hoping for favorable weather conditions to safeguard the livelihoods of those dependent on the fruit industry.
