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Sopore, situated around 45 kilometers north-west of Srinagar in the Baramulla district of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, is the lovingly referred to “Apple Town of Kashmir. Situated in the embrace of the Himalayas, is not only famous for its beauty but also for being the horticultural center of the state. It is home to Asia’s second-largest fruit mandi, which is spread over almost 400 acres and serves as a hub for apple trade not only in Jammu & Kashmir but for the entire country. Sopore has, over the years, developed into the pulsating heart of Kashmir’s apple economy to become a pillar of the state’s rural well-being and progress.
As autumn arrives, Sopore bursts into life with the commencement of apple harvest, literally hundreds of trucks leave daily, transporting apples to major Indian cities and abroad to neighboring countries. In 2024 alone the mandi was able to dispatch over 9 lakh metric tons of apples generating ₹ 6000 crore in revenue making 2024, one of the best years despite dry spells, due to the hardy orchardists.
Take the case of Abdul Hameed, an orchadist from Krankshivan Colony in Sopore. For years, he was at the early stage of his growth and his orchard had an insignificant yield and marginal earnings. However, in 2022, he, like others, moved into high-density apple growing. In a matter of two years, his yield increased nearly three-fold, had better fruits, and gained access to Gujarat markets via the Sopore mandi. This is how innovation is really changing lives.
The prosperity of such an apple economy is closely related to the infrastructure development of the region. Better road connectivity particularly the four-lane highway from Jammu to Srinagar and the construction of new tunnels have cut down travel time to major markets considerably. Trucks coming from Sopore now take only five hours to reach Jammu, thereby maintaining the freshness of apples and the dependability of timely deliveries. This logistical efficiency has also curbed spoilage, increased consumer satisfaction, and boosted profit margins for both growers and traders.
The importance of this sector runs much deeper than numbers. More than 700,000 families, comprising of around 3 to 3.5 million individuals, directly or indirectly rely for their livelihood on the apple business. These are not just farmers but there are laborers, packers, drivers, transporters, wholesalers and market agents. The multiplier effect of this business is huge. Horticulture accounts for 8-10 of J&K’s GSDP, and Sopore’s mandi has a central role.
Over the last few years, a silent revolution has been unfolding in Sopore orchards. Progressive farmers are now embracing advanced horticultural techniques, especially high-density apple orchards. While conventionally trees have taken 7 to 10 years to start fruiting, high-density orchards with dwarf rootstock varieties like Gala, Super Chief, and Scarlet Spur-II produce within 2 to 4 years. They not only produce more per acre but also need less land and are easier to manage. The government has encouraged this change actively by providing high subsidies and technical support under several horticulture development programs.
One young farmer, Suhail Ahmad of Warpora, Sopore, is an ideal case. Following a government-run workshop in 2021, he had planted 200 high-density apple saplings on his family land. By 2024, his first harvest was on sale. “It’s not more apples,” he explains, “its better apples and better prices.” Suhail has now decided to scale up and build a cold storage facility with governmental assistance.
This shift toward intensive farming has also reinvigorated the character of farming among younger generations. Youth who once left rural life for cities to pursue jobs are returning to their native soils with new enthusiasm. Families are beginning to see profits as faster production of crops yields quicker returns, and families are investing in faster irrigation systems, equipment, and putting their kids through school.
Another sector where Sopore has witnessed significant growth is in the value addition industry. In order to ensure maximum income and minimum wastage, various micro-processing units have been set up around and within the town, especially in the locality of Doabgah. These consist of units for making apple juice, jams, syrups, vinegar, and dried apple pieces. Sopore’s apple juice factory presently processes approximately 10,000 metric tons every year, while the newly established corrugated-box production unit of the region has a capacity for 65,000 metric tons, facilitating the packaging and distribution process.
Shazia Bano, a local entrepreneur, began a small unit producing apple vinegar under the auspices of the PMFME scheme. Shazia currently sells her product under the brand name “KashFresh”. Beginning from a corner of her house, she now has a registered unit and has employed five women. Shazia’s initiative is a shining example of women entrepreneurship flourishing side-by-side with Sopore’s apple economy.
These advances are providing not only income, but employment locally. Apples that would have once been quickly sold or wasted because of the shelf-life are now being converted into shelf-stable products allowing for value and market extension. This is providing more sources of income, and development resilience to market fluctuations.
Prior to this, local businesspeople and horticultural societies were able to think opportunistically. The idea they are working on at the moment aims to further develop the industry by suggesting cold-storage facilities on the mandi premises. This will allow for long term storage, price stabilization, and export management. In addition to this they are also asking for trade tax exemption, subsidy for pest management and trade logistics from the government. If they can legislation, these plans can help apple producers achieve even better returns and reduce reliance on intermediaries.
Workshops and training programs conducted in Sopore have also been instrumental in this change. Traders and farmers are being exposed to new orchard management practices, application of climate-resilient technology, crop insurance and supply-chain solutions. These capacity-building programs have developed a futuristic approach in the minds of growers, enabling them to take more well-informed decisions and prepare for long-term sustainability.
In addition to the economic and technological upsides, there is also a cultural and social aspect to all of this. The community pride from having succeeded in the apple economy is deep. Collective efforts to complete orchard chores, harvest, and process have bound the community and have now solidified Sopore as an emblem of rural entrepreneurship and sustainability.
As we celebrate the 2024 harvest, we are doing more than honoring the unique, profitable and historic harvest; we are drawing attention to the empowerment processes inspiring the vitality of the community. The involvement of young people, women-owned business, and grassroots innovation are helping to establish Sopore as a fast-emerging symbol of a progressive place.
The apple economy of Sopore will only thrive in the future through the continuing reinvestment and infrastructure construction, visionary public policies and collaborative action by farmers, entrepreneurs, and government. With plans to expand cold storage, new packaging designs, and increasing capacity in exporting, Sopore will only grow as an agro-exporting center for the world.
Shoaibhat2018@gmail.com
