In the verdant valleys of South Kashmir's Shopian district, a research scholar and farming enthusiast, Amir Manzoor, is pioneering a movement to diversify the region's fruit crops. With a PhD in Mathematics, Manzoor, hailing from Ramnagri village, is championing the cause of introducing high-density grape varieties from Nashik, Maharashtra—India's renowned grape capital—to the local farming community. This initiative aims to replicate Nashik's grape production success in Kashmir, potentially transforming the region's horticultural landscape.
Recently, Manzoor, alongside two colleagues, embarked on a mission to distribute several Nashik grape varieties, such as Thompson Seedless and Black Sonaka, among farmers in the valley for experimental cultivation. These varieties were meticulously selected for their adaptability to Kashmir's climate. "These varieties have been introduced in Kashmir on trial basis," Manzoor explained to Rising Kashmir, emphasizing the potential of the Black Cobra variety to revolutionize Kashmir's horticulture sector, provided it acclimatizes well.
The initiative has been met with enthusiasm from the local farming community, with around 500 plants of high-density seedless grapes being distributed in a single day. This effort underscores a broader ambition to expand the fruit portfolio of Kashmiri farmers beyond the traditional apple, thereby enhancing their income through diversified harvest seasons. Echoing this sentiment, Dr. Mahendra Kumar Verma of the ICAR-CITH in Srinagar revealed plans to trial new grape varieties from Pune, aiming to assess their climatic suitability over a two-year period.
Source: risingkashmir.com