SRINAGAR, Sept 5: Kashmir valley is expecting a bumper crop of almonds this year, thanks to favourable weather conditions, experts say.
“As compared to last year, this year production is good. Last year, the production of almonds was around 12,000 metric tonnes. This year, we expect it to reach 17,000 to 18,000 metric tonnes,” said Manzoor Ahmed, an agronomist in the department of horticulture, to ANI.
Due to favourable weather conditions, the flowering was also good and this has boosted the business,” he said.
Almond orchard owners say less rain has helped.
“Last year, due to a heavy downpour, our production was low, but this year, the production of almonds has increased by 20 to 30 percent. The almonds are found in two districts of Kashmir – Pulwama and Budgam. The almonds of Kashmir are known for their quality and taste,” one such owner Abdul Rasheed told reporters.
Kashmir is known for its varieties of almond which include Shalimar, Makdoon and Waris grown locally in districts of Pulwama and Budgam.
The Jammu and Kashmir state ranks first in India for the annual production of the almond fruit.
