All smiles in Kashmir’s Kulgam as bumper stone fruit harvest delights growers

Fruit growers in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district are celebrating a bumper harvest of stone fruits, with cherries, plums, peaches and apricots delivering strong yields and better-quality produce this season.

The abundant harvest has brought fresh optimism to the region's horticulture sector, as many farmers report higher incomes after diversifying beyond traditional apple cultivation.

Farmers say younger growers are increasingly turning to stone fruits alongside apples to improve productivity and tap new market opportunities. They believe diversification has helped strengthen the local fruit economy while expanding export potential.

Fruit grower Lala Mazghar said apple farming has been the backbone of the region for decades, but many young farmers are now cultivating apricots, plums, cherries and kiwis, adding that fruits once imported are now being exported.

Another grower, Saqib Bhatt, described this year's harvest as exceptional and urged fellow farmers to diversify into stone fruits while continuing apple cultivation to improve returns and ensure sustainable growth.