SRINAGAR: In the heart of Kashmir’s peak winter season, 55-year-old Ghulam Nabi Khan from Baramulla finds himself spending the majority of his day tending to his orchards.
Concerned about the unprecedented absence of snow this winter, he contemplates irrigating his orchards, a task demanding urgent attention. “The prevailing dry weather is posing challenges for farmers. Typically, December sees snowfall, but now we’ve been experiencing dry conditions since November,” he said.
As Kashmir contends with an unusual and prolonged dry winter, apple growers in the region voice growing apprehensions regarding its potential impact on their orchards.
The absence of customary snowfall and prolonged dry spells are causing alarm among farmers who heavily rely on winter weather for the successful cultivation of apples.
The President of the North Kashmir Apple Growers Association highlighted the adverse effects the current snowless dry spell could have on apple orchards. “The next 15 days are crucial for farmers. If there’s no snow in Kashmir during this period, our orchards will suffer significantly. Winter is when our soil retains moisture, crucial for the health of apple trees and the quality of fruits,” he stressed.
He pointed out that abundant snowfall during Chillai Kalan ensures proper irrigation for orchards during summertime. “Over the years, we’ve observed a lack of substantial rainfall in Kashmir during summer. Therefore, we rely on snowfall to supply water during the summer months,” he added.
The quality of fruit, he emphasised, deteriorates with insufficient or no snowfall.
Notably, December of the previous year recorded a 79 per cent deficit in rainfall.
Expert Irshad Ahmad Bhat raised concerns about the prolonged dry spell making apple trees susceptible to diseases. “With a snowless winter, there’s worry about an increase in pests and diseases affecting the apple orchards, necessitating vigilant monitoring and management,” he cautioned. (KNO)
