Walnut harvesting is underway in Kashmir, but growers are reporting weak demand and declining prices. Farmers say this is raising concerns about the sustainability of the crop in the region.
Fayaz Ahmad Dar, who has been cultivating walnut trees for two decades in Rahmoo village in Pulwama district, said the crop is no longer reliable. "Last year, I sold my produce at dirt-cheap prices. This year, the prices are also low," he noted.
Walnuts account for nearly 95% of India's total production, with Jammu and Kashmir producing the bulk of the crop. Out of India's 108,000 hectares planted with walnuts, 89,000 hectares are located in J&K. Of the country's total output of 299,000 tons, 275,000 tons come from this region.
"Earlier, a farmer with 20 to 30 trees could sustain his family. Now the same farmer struggles to make ends meet," Dar added.
Stakeholders point to several challenges facing the sector. These include falling prices, the imposition of a 5% GST, and increasing competition from imported walnuts, mainly from California, Chile, and China. "Imposition of 5 percent GST on walnuts has put an additional strain on the beleaguered industry," said Abdul Majeed, a walnut trader.
Traders explain that imported nuts are preferred in the market for their uniform size and lighter shells, making it difficult for Kashmiri walnuts to compete.
Growers, however, emphasise the organic production methods in Kashmir. "We never use chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Our walnuts are completely organic, which makes them far superior in taste and quality compared with imported nuts," said Tariq Ahmad, a grower from Anantnag district. He claimed that imported walnuts, including those from China, often rely on chemical inputs to boost production.
Anantnag is the leading walnut-producing district in J&K with an annual yield of 9,915 tons, followed by Kupwara with 8,824 tons and Ganderbal with 5,454 tons. Other districts contribute smaller volumes.
With local demand declining and imports rising, growers and traders are calling for policy measures such as marketing support, incentives, and protection against lower-priced imports to sustain the sector.
Source: Greater Kashmir