Pulwama: The Horticulture Department has launched a pilot project on high-density almond cultivation in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district in an effort to revive the Valley’s declining almond industry and make the crop profitable for farmers.
Spread over 100 kanals at the Fruit Plant Nursery in Nowgam area of Newa, the demonstration project will assess whether modern cultivation techniques can improve almond productivity, orchard management and farmers’ income.
Kashmir’s traditional almond sector has witnessed a sharp decline over the years due to erratic weather, low yields and diminishing profitability. Many growers have shifted to high-density apple orchards, which offer higher production and better returns from smaller landholdings.
Pulwama, once known for its extensive almond orchards, has also seen thousands of kanals of traditional plantations converted into high-density apple orchards.
Chief Horticulture Officer Pulwama Riyaz Ahmad Shah said the project would evaluate the performance of high-density almond plantations under local conditions.
“If the results are encouraging, the model will be extended to farmers across the district so that they can adopt modern cultivation practices, increase production and improve their income,” Shah said.
He said the department aims to revive almond cultivation through scientific and high-density methods while preserving Kashmir’s horticultural heritage.
Experts believe improved varieties, scientific orchard management and high-density plantation techniques could help restore the competitiveness of almond cultivation in Kashmir.
The success of the Pulwama project could pave the way for similar initiatives in other almond-growing areas of the Valley and encourage growers to return to a crop long associated with Kashmir’s horticultural identity.
