Srinagar, May 17: As strawberries, Kashmir’s first post-winter fruit, make their way into local markets, the expected buzz and celebration among growers has been replaced with disappointment and anxiety.
The aftermath of the recent Pahalgam attack has triggered a sharp drop in tourist footfall, affecting the sale of seasonal produce like strawberries. Farmers in Gusso village, near Hazratbal on the outskirts of Srinagar, say the incident has severely dented demand, sending prices plummeting just as the harvest peaked.
“The season started on a high note, but everything changed overnight,” said Irhad Ahmed, a seasoned strawberry grower. “What used to sell for Rs 80 to Rs 100 per box is now barely fetching Rs 40. Bigger boxes that earlier sold for Rs 600 are now being offloaded for Rs 250 or less.”
With strawberries having a shelf life of just a few days, the price crash has left farmers with few options. Most lack cold storage or quick transportation means, and without immediate buyers, the risk of produce going to waste is high.
Strawberry cultivation is still relatively new to Kashmir’s agricultural landscape. Farmers in parts of Srinagar and Ganderbal have been shifting from vegetable farming to this lucrative crop over recent years. Gusso has emerged as one of the Valley’s prominent strawberry belts, contributing to the estimated 300 metric tonnes of strawberries produced annually in Kashmir.
However, unlike previous years, farmers say support systems have fallen short. “Last year, refrigerated vans helped us reach distant markets in time. This year, there’s been no such facility,” Irshad Ahmed lamented, adding that the current crisis may push many to give up strawberry farming altogether.
Officials from the horticulture department noted that while production this year has been encouraging, the situation is now gradually improving.
Despite this optimism, farmers remain skeptical. They stress the need for consistent government backing, especially in times of crisis, to protect a crop that could otherwise become a hallmark of Kashmir’s agricultural revival. (CNS)
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