BR Reporter
Srinagar: To fight the influx of California, Chile and Chinese walnut, the horticulture department Kashmir is motivating growers to prefer grafted and high-density varieties of walnut trees.
As per officials, the valley currently is not able to produce a bulk quantity of quality walnuts due to which foreign varieties are more in demand across the country.

To replace the traditional varieties, the horticulture department is currently on a mission to popularize grafted and new high-density plantation in Kashmir.
“Our walnut is in huge demand but the actual problem is that our growers have different varieties. A particular variety, which is in huge demand is not produced in bulk in Kashmir,” said Abdul Qudus Beig , Hirticulture Development Officer.
He said the department currently reaching out to growers to aware them about the latest varieties in the market.
“In many areas, the growers have planted the high-density variety of walnut and are expecting to harvest their yield in coming years,” he said.
Javaid Ahmad Chief Horticulture Officer Pulwama said that the department has set up its nurseries to grow latest varieties in huge number.
“The department is currently raising awareness at district level to ensure a latest variety of walnut trees,” he said.
India ranks eighth in walnut production in the world. Kashmir produces 2.75 lakh metric tonnes of walnuts, which is over 90 percent of the total production of the country. More than 89000 hectares of land is under walnut cultivation in the valley
Meanwhile the growers claim that there is a constant fall in demand of this dry fruit for the fifth straight year.
They said the rates of walnut has reduced by almost 50 per cent in last five years despite the fact the local fruit was highly organic and better in quality compared to the Chinese, and Californian variety available in the market.
President Kashmir Walnut Growers Association Haji Bahadur Khan said that both kernels and shelled walnuts sell at “throwaway” prices in the market.
“The current market is no different compared to the previous years. Currently rates range from Rs 200 to Rs 800 per kg of kernel while as it was more than Rs1200 per kg a few year before,” he said.
Similarly, the rates of shelled walnut ranges from Rs 120 to Rs 200 per kilogram. “In 2016-17, one kilogram of shelled walnut would sell at Rs 270- 400 per kilogram,” he said.
What he said was denting the market for Kashmiri organic walnut was the bulk flow of Californian, Chile and Chinese walnuts in Indian markets.
“We have been telling the same to the government for the last many years but it has failed to find any solution. Like apple, walnuts are important constituent of Kashmir horticulture sector and require prompt action and attention from the government,” he said.
The gradual decline in the market for Kashmir walnut has prompted many dealers to give up this trade.
Farooq Ahmad Bhat, a walnut dealer from Baramulla this year has taken to sheep farming given the immense losses witnessed by him in the last five years.
“Walnut business is very difficult especially when its demand is very low even in the local and national market. Few years before a huge quantity was getting exported but this business is full of risks and losses. I shifted to sheep breeding after giving up walnut business with which I was associated for over 25 years,” he said.