Agriculture is something that makes news when the farmers start committing suicides. At least that is the norm across India. Though around one-third of the contributions to the State Gross Domestic Product (SGDP) come from agriculture, it triggers tensions only when it hits a grave crisis.
Apple is the main player in Kashmir’s economic well-being and not many people know that more than two-thirds of the crop is C-grade, thanks to the scab that hit the orchards at the beginning of this season.
A SEASON LOST
Imtiyaz Ahmad Dar, 30, an orchardist from Kupwara, has harvested his apple on nearly 30-Kanals of his orchards where multiple varieties grow. Despite routine sprays of pesticide this season, his crop was damaged with fungal and scab infections. Routinely, he would sell not less than a truckload of apples a year. This year, he says he might have merely sold 200 boxes, less than even one-sixth of his routine.
“It is not that the orchards did not bore apples,” Dar said. “The problem is the quality was so low that they cannot be sold.” While talking about this “tragedy”, he cokes frequently: “This is our only source of income. None of us is working for the government. For me, it is a disaster.”
In a season, Dar spends around Rs 4 lakh on pesticides and labour. Then there are costs on a series of postharvest activities. This harvest, Dar will end in debt.
SICKENING SCAB
This story is from the October 25-31,2020; DEEPER DESIGNS; ISSUE 30 VOL 12 edition of Kashmir Life.
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This story is from the October 25-31,2020; DEEPER DESIGNS; ISSUE 30 VOL 12 edition of Kashmir Life.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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