ITALIAN MIX: High-density apple orchards are now competing with the traditional fruit
The world-famous Kashmiri apples now have an element of the world within them, as high-density apple varieties from Europe have taken Kashmir by storm. From Green Apples to Red Chief to Red Rocks, the new exotic apple varieties from Holland and Italy are redefining apple farming in Kashmir.
"Our target for this year is 150 hectare of land under the high-density apple plantation. Currently, we have 70-hectare of land under high-density apple plantation and by March next year we shall have another 70 hectare dedicated to the same," said Manzoor Ahmad Qadri, Director, Horticulture Department Kashmir.
The high-density orchards are transforming the horticulture sector by necessitating cultivation of more apples per hectare and produce the crop in second year of plantation.
"Normal orchard produces 10 to 12 metric tonne of apple per hectare. The high-density orchard produces 40 to 50 metric tonnes per hectare. We are trying to expand the area under high density plantation so that its production increases," said Qadri.
Horticulture is the mainstay of Kashmir's economy. More than 3.38 lakh hectare of land in the valley is under fruit cultivation, of which 16.29 lakh hectare is for apple cultivation.
Jammu and Kashmir is also the largest producer of apple in the country with production touching 18.28 lakh metric tonne this year. Last year, fruit production in the entire state was 22.25 lakh metric tonne, of which 17.27 lakh metric tonne was apples alone.
"Our goal is that high-density apple plantation should cover 50 per cent of the orchards. The remaining 50 per cent of land will cover the normal apple plantation. Normal apple tree starts giving fruit after six to seven years. The high density plant starts giving fruit after two years. Plus, high-density crop is ready two months ahead of the normal fruit season," said Qadri.
However, it comes with its own bag of trouble as it requires constant irrigation facilities, unlike the normal orchards which can be grown on upper areas and Karewas.
EXOTIC FRUIT
- From Green Apples to Red Chief to Red Rocks, the new exotic apple varieties from Holland and Italy are redefining apple farming
- More than 3.38 lakh hectare of land in the valley is under fruit cultivation, of which 16.29 lakh hectare is for apple cultivation
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