J-K orchard owners hope for better fruit output due to snowfall

Bhaderwah (Jammu and Kashmir), Jan 23 (ANI): The orchard owners in Bhaderwah region of Jammu and Kashmir's Doda District are an elated lot as the region received ample snowfall, which has brought an end to the extending dry period.

The locals here had been eagerly waiting for snowfall, as the extending dry period results in cold-related ailments among children and the elderly, and made it seem tough for those engaged in agriculture and horticulture.

Javed Iqbal Khan, a lecturer in botany of a local college, said that the snowfall would have several benefits for farmers and fruit growers.

"The snow definitely has a lot of benefits and the garden of fruits will also have a lot of benefits other than that it affects the growth of the fruits. With flowering on time the fruit becomes strong and a strong fruit is able to ripen on time and then its growth becomes good. And it boosts its production as well," said Khan.

The region had seen very scanty snowfall in the last two years and the fruit growers especially the apple producers were hit by lack of snowfall.

Ajit Singh, a fruit grower, said that most of the growers are happy with the timely snowfall this year and they hope that the snow would not melt early.

"The snowfall has been on time this year and this has brought a lot of advantages. One, the crops will have benefits and even the fruits will have good growth. The fields will also have good amount of water. All the diseases will also vanish," opined Singh.

Bhaderwah, which is known as little Kashmir, is the second largest producer of apples after the valley region. (ANI)