Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Dec 28: The first spell of snowfall this season, after a prolonged dry period, has brought joy to thousands of fruit growers and farmers in Kashmir, who are now hopeful of better crop production this year.
The Kashmir Valley received its first heavy snowfall on Friday evening, ending an extended dry spell and bringing relief to horticulturists and agriculturists alike.
Experts said that the six-month-long dry period, with no rain or snow, had raised concerns for fruit growers and farmers. They said prolonged dryness leads to a lack of soil moisture, which can severely affect both the quality and yield of crops, including apples, in the following season.
They said a dry spell also delays the germination of Rabi crops, which negatively impacts production. “A lack of rainfall over an extended period dries up soil moisture, which, in turn, affects flowering and fruit-setting,” experts said, adding that crop quality and quantity are directly linked to these processes.
The first snowfall of the season, however, has brought relief to worried farmers and fruit growers.
Mohammad Yousuf Bhat, a renowned fruit trader and expert from Shopian, said, “There were no rains for nearly six months. If this dryness had continued, it would have severely impacted the horticulture and agriculture sectors.”
Bhat added that most orchards rely on rainwater, and the prolonged dryness had left no water for irrigation. “With the snowfall, we now have sufficient water, and such issues have been mitigated,” he said. He further noted that the dry spell had increased the risk of pest attacks, as dryness and a lack of moisture make fruit trees vulnerable.
Dr Suhaib, an environmental expert, said, “Prolonged dry weather significantly impacts orchards and fruit crops in Kashmir, posing substantial challenges to agricultural productivity. Extended dry spells disrupt natural irrigation patterns, reducing water availability for crops. This scarcity hampers the growth and development of fruit trees, leading to reduced yield and quality.”
The extended dryness had also worried farmers who had sown Rabi crops. The low soil moisture delayed germination, which would have affected production. Dry conditions also created an environment conducive to pests and diseases, further threatening orchards.
Now, with the dry spell ending, farmers, fruit growers, and those associated with horticulture have heaved a sigh of relief. Farmers expressed relief, saying that the seeds sown in autumn had not germinated well due to the dryness, raising fears of low production.
Mustard, an annual crop harvested in April, was also under threat due to the lack of precipitation. However, the timely snowfall has revived hope among farmers, who now expect better production this year.
Mohammad Ibrahim, a farmer from Pulwama, said the winter snowfall is crucial for water availability during the paddy plantation season. “Farmers were very worried, but the recent snowfall has brought happiness,” he said.
People associated with horticulture and agriculture described the snowfall as “the need of the hour”. They are now optimistic about good crop production this year.
Meanwhile, an official from the PHE (Public Health Engineering) department told KNO that most water sources were on the verge of drying up, with water levels in others critically low. “This snowfall has given us hope that these water sources, especially springs, will recharge, ensuring uninterrupted water and power supply for residents,” the official said.
He said the process of recharging water sources might take a few days, but hopes remain high as the long dry spell had caused widespread water shortages across Kashmir.
