Cherry cultivation

• The prolonged cold weather and rains this year have devastated the cherry crop when the harvest period was at its peak in the Kashmir Valley.

ABOUT CHERRY CULTIVATION

• Cherry is considered a vital crop for the farmers in the Valley as it provides additional income to them in May-June
  • All other fruits in Kashmir are harvested in autumn.
• Eight cherry varieties grown in Kashmir include makhmali, siya, mishri, jaddi, Italy, dabal, vishkan and stela.
  • Four among eight varieties, mainly mishri, jaddi, makhmali and dabal, have good demand in the market.
  • Mishri is considered sweeter than all other varieties.
• The annual production of the stone fruit is around 12,000 metric tonnes, making Jammu and Kashmir the largest cherry producer in India, according to official figures.
• The Kashmir Valley contributes to 95% of the total cherry production in India.
• Cherry is being cultivated in the region on around 2,800 hectares, which yields an annual turnover of around Rs 130-150 crore.
• Kashmir annually sends around 3,500-4,000 metric tonnes of cherries to other states of India.
• Cherry is a delicate crop and extremely sensitive to extreme weather conditions, requiring a moderate temperature for optimal growth.
• Having a very low shelf life, cherries cannot sustain heavy rains or high temperatures.