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Walnut production’s economy weakens in J&K, as suitable land scarce
Zafar Bhat. Dated: 10/16/2017 12:47:26 PM
Zafar Bhat
Jammu, Oct 15
Jammu and Kashmir which contributes around 98% of the country’s output of walnuts, now, unfortunately, production suffers from lack of proper maintenance and the continued civil unrest in the Kashmir valley, the traditional walnut growing area
Notably, total requirement for walnut in India is projected by the authors to increase from 36,000 tonnes produced currently to 72,550 tonnes by 2020/21. India will need to bring in effective measure to meet the projected demand.
Owing to the scarcity of suitable land in Jammu and Kashmir State, India might be preparing to expand walnut production to other states which would not be good for the State.
Remarkably, there is need to find out the reasons which have made scarce the suitable land for walnut cultivation.
Categorically, Kashmir walnut is always in great demand in Indian markets, while In what has warmed the cockles of the fruit growers and dealers, the Kashmir walnuts are fetching good prices in outside mandis.
Pertinently Walnut is an important crop grown in Jammu & Kashmir, as the state produces about 86,263 tonnes from an area of 61,723 hectares. Walnut cultivation is common in Badrawah, Poonch, Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipora, Gandarbal, Budgam, Srinagar, Anantnag and other hilly areas.
State government need to undertake some effective measure to have suitable agro-climatic conditions for growing walnut with suitable land in the huge area.
Currently, J&K is the largest contributor in the economics of walnut production in India. Hence there should be a comprehensive policy which would involve establishment of a walnut orchard, maintenance and other recurring costs during the non-bearing and be bearing stages, total cost per hectare of walnut production, income and return, gross and net, from the walnut orchard and the cost/benefit ratios.
Areas in Jammu and Kashmir has a huge potential in walnut and other fruits and the need of the hour is to provide a proper mechanism so that the industry is strengthened.