As autumn sets in, the valley’s signature cash crop—apples—begins to trend everywhere. Amid the vibrant transition of the foliage to shades of yellow and red, the apples themselves turn a deep red, signaling the time to separate from the trees. The crop is now ripe, bringing a sense of joy and celebration among orchardists and traders throughout the valley.
Behind a pile of glossy red apples, Mohammad Ayoub Dar beams with pride as he carefully sorts the fruit into three smaller heaps based on grade in his orchard in Saidpora, Sopore. “You have to be meticulous when sorting,” Dar explains. “The apples are graded by size and color. These piles determine the quality of the fruit,” he adds, diligently organizing the freshly harvested apples.
Without access to advanced technology, the orchardists rely on traditional methods to grade their produce manually. Dar isn’t alone in this task—his three college-aged sons, daughter, and wife all assist in the harvest.
“I always make sure to grade the apples correctly,” Dar says with satisfaction. “Size, color, and texture are crucial for getting a good price.” His son Junaid, a college student, agrees. “This is the reward for all our hard work. Even though I’m away most of the year for my studies, I always come home for the apple harvest. The whole atmosphere is festive,” he says, referring to the busy orchards around them.
In Kashmir, apple harvesting begins in mid-September and continues through November. Families—men, women, and children alike—visit their orchards to oversee the harvest of this valuable crop.
Dar’s daughter, Maria Akhter, a postgraduate student at IGNOU, explains the division of labor. “While the men handle the packing and selling, my mother and I make sure they are fed. We start our days early, preparing meals and tea to keep everyone energized. Despite the extra work, I enjoy these days,” Maria says as she serves hot Nun Chai to the workers.
As the harvest continues, Dar and his sons take care to pack the apples into bins cautiously. “Although cardboard boxes are available in the market, I prefer wooden ones,” Dar says. “They’re more expensive, but since my apples are shipped to far-off places like Mumbai, Kolkata, and Goa, wooden boxes are safer and offer better protection.”
From his three-acre orchard, Dar produces around 3,000 to 3,500 boxes of apples each year. Though last year’s yield was slow, he remains optimistic about this season, hoping for good returns. “All our household expenses and my children’s education are supported by this orchard,” he notes.
According to sociologist Dr. Mohammad Qasim from North Kashmir, apple harvest time is always a celebration, especially for orchardists. “Even with a packed daily routine, families like to spend time in their orchards, watching the harvest,” he says, adding that many schedule significant life events, such as weddings, around the harvest season.
Supporting this view, fellow orchardist Showkat Ahmad War from the same village shares that despite the approaching harsh winter, he has planned his daughter’s wedding for November, once the harvest is complete.
Kashmir produces over 100,000 tonnes of apples annually, valued at around 3,000 crores. Apple farming serves as the primary source of income for thousands of families, with nearly 500,000 people directly or indirectly employed in the region’s horticulture industry, according to the Department of Agriculture.
With strong demand this year, apple growers, traders, transporters, and commission agents are feeling optimistic. “I’ve already sent about 9,000 boxes of high-quality apples outside the valley,” says Manzoor Ahmad, a commission agent from Sopore’s largest fruit market. “If this trend continues, Kashmir’s apples are set for a prosperous season.”