![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kmsnews.org\/kms\/assests\/2025\/07\/6751_24_8_2023_13_9_25_1_23_HYBRIDAPPLES_SGR_24_08_2023-330x220.jpg\")
Srinagar: An unusual rise in temperatures across Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir\u2019s fruit-producing belt has raised concern among apple growers, who fear the prolonged dry spell could compromise fruit quality and lead to significant financial losses.<\/p>\n
According to Kashmir Media Service, the region continues to reel under an intense heat wave, accompanied by a notable rainfall deficit.<\/p>\n
According to meteorological data from June 1 to June 25, Kashmir witnessed significantly below-average precipitation.<\/p>\n
Many orchardists have started manually irrigating their fields using water pumps.<\/p>\n
However, the situation remains more difficult for farmers in rain-fed areas, where access to irrigation infrastructure is limited or nonexistent.<\/p>\n
Adding to their woes, water levels in canals and other irrigation sources have dropped, further complicating efforts to keep orchards hydrated.<\/p>\n
For many, apple farming remains a key economic lifeline, and the lack of water has made this year\u2019s crop particularly vulnerable.<\/p>\n
Tariq Ahmad Mir, an apple grower from Shopian, in a media interview said, \u201cThe continuous heat could cause sunburn on the fruit and hinder its proper development, potentially leading to smaller size, poor quality, and reduced market value.\u201d He said that the extended dry spell might also shorten the shelf life of the fruit, further affecting returns.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have never seen such punishing heat in my life. Even in the higher belts, the apples are showing signs of stress,\u201d said Muhammad Yousuf, an apple farmer from Damhal Hanjipora in Kulgam district. He said that if the heatwave persists, the crop might suffer irreversible damage<\/p>\n
According to the farmer, more than 70 percent of the population in the area relies on apple cultivation for their livelihood.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Srinagar: An unusual rise in temperatures across Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir\u2019s fruit-producing belt has raised concern among apple growers, who fear the prolonged dry spell could compromise fruit quality and lead to significant financial losses. According to Kashmir Media Service, the region continues to reel under an intense heat wave, accompanied by a …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":178344,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[38],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-178343","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-weather"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t