by Mohammad Waseem
SRINAGAR: As Kashmir embraces high-density apple cultivation, its farmers find themselves at a pivotal crossroads. The transition is not merely agricultural, but emotional and cultural. It is a journey of balancing inherited wisdom with modern methods to improve productivity and profits, while preserving a way of life rooted in the soil.
Fruit of the Valley
Kashmir apples, smooth-skinned and blush red, are celebrated for their flavour and quality. They have long formed the backbone of the region’s economy, offering livelihoods to thousands and contributing significantly to the Gross State Domestic Product. The valley accounts for nearly 75 per cent of India’s total apple production, exporting close to 1.8 million metric tonnes every year.
While the horticulture sector continues to flourish, apple production in Jammu and Kashmir has faced new challenges. The figures remain robust, 20.40 lakh metric tonnes in 2022–23, 20.64 lakh in 2023–24, and 20.56 lakh in 2024–25, but traditional orchards are now competing with high-density plantations, many of them imported. These newer methods threaten to edge out the legacy of Kashmir’s age-old orchards, leaving growers in a precarious position.
Subsidies and Incentives
According to the Department of Horticulture, the Jammu and Kashmir government plans to expand high-density cultivation to 5,500 hectares by 2026 under the Modified High-Density Plantation Scheme. The department provides a 50 per cent subsidy to orchardists who adopt this model.
To address the financial burden of conversion, the government has introduced a support structure: 40 per cent of the cost may be covered through an optional bank loan, with interest deferred for the first three years and repayment beginning in the fourth. The remaining 10 per cent is to be contributed by the farmer. Additional incentives include subsidies for micro-irrigation systems, provision of high-quality, virus-free rootstock and scion varieties, and anti-hail nets to protect crops from damage.
The Rise of High-Density Farming
Zahoor Ahmad Bhat, Chief Horticulture Officer, explained that high-density cultivation was introduced in 2016, although medium-density orchards had already been in use through trials at SKUAST-Kashmir. Over time, more growers adopted the newer method after witnessing its success.
“Technology is the need of the hour,” he said. “In this modern era where time is valued the most, people want both production and profit.”
The six-year scheme, running from March 2021 to March 2026, focuses on agro-climatically suitable zones. Although traditional orchards still produce around 20 lakh metric tonnes annually, high-density plantations, which currently yield 2 lakh tonnes, are gaining ground. The scope for growth in Kashmir’s horticulture sector, Bhat insisted, remains vast.
He pointed out that traditional orchards demand considerable space. A kanal of land can accommodate only 10 to 12 trees, whereas high-density methods allow the planting of 160 to 170 trees in the same area. While traditional trees take six to eight years to bear fruit, high-density ones begin producing in as little as one to two years.
Quality, too, is a concern. Traditional orchards are highly vulnerable to weather fluctuations and drought, which affect nearly 70 per cent of the harvest. Only 30 per cent qualify as Grade-A. In contrast, high-density orchards yield 90 per cent Grade-A fruit.
“There is no reason not to adopt it,” Bhat said.
Rooted in Legacy, Pushed by Change
“It was a challenging decision. We have been in the business for the past forty years and earned our livelihood from those orchards. We take care of those trees like our babies. A growing tree is like a growing hope,” said 53-year-old Fayaz Ahmad Bhat from Baramulla.
The emotional toll of change was visible in his eyes. “Earning a livelihood for decades from traditional orchards and then uprooting those trees—I could not bear that and left the place until they finished,” he said. It was not easy to walk away from a life nurtured through generations. Yet, change arrived, driven by the passion of his younger son.
“My younger son, who is very enthusiastic about the apple business, has been handling it for the past four years. He showed me some videos of high-density farming and urged me to try it. That is where the change began.”
Fayaz described the numbers that followed this difficult decision. Initially, we used to produce ten thousand boxes of traditional apples of different varieties. But we never saw the price cross 1,200 rupees per box, which weighs around sixteen to twenty kilograms. After switching to high-density farming, we have not sold any boxes for less than 1,600 rupees, and that is only for ten kilograms.”
His orchard spans twelve kanals of land and cost him nearly eighteen lakhs to convert into a high-density setup. “In its first season of yield, we had to bear low production. But in the second year, we hopefully compensated the establishment expenses. That kind of return was never imaginable from traditional apple orchards. There was a handsome profit as well,” Fayaz said.
Weathering the Future
Can high-density orchards withstand the test of time and the growing threat of climate change in the valley?
Mohammad Rafeeq Kumar, 25, a field executive at Seven Star Fruits Pvt Ltd, a supplier of high-density plants, said, “This practice has become widespread across every village and city in the valley. The profitability and advanced techniques involved have drawn in countless growers, making our marketing efforts more effective. For smaller growers with limited land, this revolution has proven valuable. It allows them to significantly increase both the quantity and quality of their produce, ultimately delivering the best possible outcome.”
He noted the particular risks traditional orchards have faced in recent years. “Established orchards in Kashmir have faced substantial losses due to extreme weather events, including wind and hailstorms that have distressed crops in full bloom. In response, high-density farming has gained traction as a strong modern alternative. Hail nets are being set up to protect blossoms from hailstorms.”
When asked about the long-term viability of this model, Rafeeq said, “One of the key requirements for HD plants is exposure to negative temperatures for thirty to thirty-five days to ensure proper dormancy and fruit-bearing potential. Kashmir’s harsh winter, particularly the Chillai Kalan, forty days of intense cold, naturally provides these conditions. This makes the region an ideal location for high-density orchards, aligning their biological needs with Kashmir’s climate.”
However, he also pointed out the concerns surrounding future market dynamics. “As high-density orchards gain popularity, concerns over market saturation and long-term sustainability are rising. Increased production in future may inevitably affect prices, potentially reducing profitability for growers.”
To mitigate this risk, he suggested a balanced approach. “To strike a balance between innovation and stability, professionals recommend orchardists divide their land equally, dedicating fifty per cent to high-density farming while keeping the other fifty per cent for traditional methods. This strategic approach safeguards financial security, supports ecological diversity, and provides growers with flexibility to adapt to market fluctuations.”
“By mixing modern technology with age-old practices, farmers can safeguard both their present earnings and their future livelihoods,” added Rafeeq.
