‘Kashmir should think beyond apples’

As climate pressures, rising cultivation costs and uncertain returns challenge apple growers, experts are urging Kashmir to rediscover its potential in olives, mushrooms and vegetable seed production.

A spare room of about 200 square feet could become a small agricultural enterprise in Kashmir, producing mushrooms and generating a monthly profit of Rs 20,000 to Rs 40,000, according to an agritech entrepreneur who believes the valley has overlooked much of its farming potential.

For Shaheem Shafat, owner of Growbros, an agritech company that builds permanent orchard and greenhouse infrastructure, the opportunity begins with space that many households already have.

He believes mushroom cultivation could give families an additional source of income without requiring large farms or substantial investment.

His company is already cultivating several varieties of mushrooms, and he sees considerable scope for expanding the business.

“People here are waiting and preparing for government jobs but they could generate more income than government jobs,” Shafat said. “All they have to do is take any spare room just 200 square feet big and get crates of any type and grow mushrooms.”

His argument points to a larger question facing Kashmir’s agricultural economy: how long can thousands of farming households continue to depend so heavily on apples?

For generations, growers have converted paddy fields into orchards, making apples one of the valley’s most important sources of rural income.

The crop remains central to Kashmir’s horticulture sector, but changing weather patterns, rising cultivation costs and uncertain market returns have exposed growers to mounting risks.

Untimely rainfall, hailstorms, temperature fluctuations and changing winter chilling hours have complicated orchard management. Transport disruptions and fluctuating market prices add further uncertainty, while the frequent use of pesticides has raised concerns about the long-term sustainability of conventional apple cultivation.

At the sixth CII J&K Apple Conclave 2026, Dr N K Krishna Kumar, a former deputy director general of horticulture at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, used the discussion to make a broader case for agricultural diversification.

He pointed to Hawaii, which generates more income than Kashmir despite having a smaller population, to question whether the valley makes the best economic use of its natural resources.

Kumar urged farmers and policymakers to look beyond established horticulture and explore mushroom cultivation, olive farming and seed production.

He also highlighted the potential for exporting these products to international markets where demand and commercial networks already exist.

“Apart from apples, Kashmir can explore opportunities in Mushrooms, olives and seed cultivation which have a vast scope and import the produce to the international markets where the market is already established,” he told the gathering.

The proposal has great significance for small growers, unemployed young people and households seeking agricultural businesses that can generate income alongside existing livelihoods.

Dr Ashaq Pandit, professor and head of the Division of Fruit Science at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, said the valley had several possibilities for commercial cultivation.

“Kashmir should think beyond apples,” the professor said. “There are various options to explore when planning to cultivate any cash crop. People need to get expert advice while planning to invest in any crop. Seed cultivation, olive farming, mushroom cultivation are some of the possibilities in which Kashmir has a good scope.”

Olive cultivation is among the possibilities attracting attention, although its success depends on suitable climatic conditions. The crop generally thrives in Mediterranean climates, with long summers and mild winters.

Pandit identified several northern and relatively warmer areas of Jammu and Kashmir as suitable locations, including Uri, Baramulla, Rajouri, Udhampur, Ramban, Tangdar, Keran and Teetwal.

He said these areas could support substantial production because of their temperature conditions.

Olives also have an attractive commercial profile. Pandit described them as a high-value, low-volume crop, pointing to strong demand for olive oil in domestic and international markets.

The potential, he suggested, could allow farmers to enter a lucrative agricultural segment without depending exclusively on the economics of apple production.

Mushrooms present a different opportunity. Their cultivation can begin on a relatively small scale, making the business accessible to households with limited agricultural land.

For Srinagar residents, where residential space may be available while access to farmland remains limited, unused rooms could become productive growing units.

Pandit said the government was already investing substantial resources in mushroom cultivation. Kashmir’s climatic conditions also support several exotic varieties, including mushrooms valued for both medicinal and culinary uses.

He believes these products could generate substantial returns if growers receive the right technical guidance and develop access to established markets.

Seed production, meanwhile, could revive an agricultural enterprise with a history in Kashmir.

Before 1989, areas including Ganderbal, Hajin, Shalimar, Gutlibagh and Sonawari produced vegetable seeds that farmers supplied to other parts of the country.

Pandit said Kashmir could again become a producer of quality seeds for vegetables such as tomatoes, brinjals, cauliflower and cabbage.

The business suffered a major disruption after 1989, when political turmoil affected established production and commercial networks. Pandit believes improved conditions have created an opportunity to revive the sector.

“Kashmir was already thriving in the business of producing high quality seed but after 1989 the business was disrupted due to the political disturbance. But the situation in Kashmir is now better. We have this window still open,” he said.

He added that seed companies were already willing to invest in Kashmir and that favourable weather conditions gave the business a promising commercial future.

Kashmir has the land and climate to support a wider range of crops, but diversification will need technical guidance, investment, strong branding and established markets.

As Pandit points out, poor marketing continues to limit the reach and returns of local produce.

Apples will remain central to Kashmir’s agricultural economy. The challenge is to build other sources of income alongside them.

Whether through mushrooms, olives or vegetable seeds, the real test will be turning the valley’s untapped agricultural potential into viable businesses for its farmers.