Shopian: The cherry harvesting is at its peak in Shopian district of south Kashmir as the growers are busy picking the delicious fruit for commercial purposes.
The growers are expecting good turn over this year as during the previous year cherry production was affected due to unfavorable climatic conditions especially during cherry blossoming thus resulting into the loss of production.
However, this year the weather was friendly, say growers.
“Crop quality is good this year and we expect good rates. Right now only Avval number cherry and a few more varieties are ready for picking as the other varieties will take few days”, said the growers.
The growers here grow various varieties of cherry fruits like double cherry, Avval number, Mishri, JD cherry, Bulgarian, Makhmali and Italian. Among all these varieties, Mishri is in much demand because of its delicious taste and of course better shelf life in comparison to other varieties of the fruit.
“This year we have quite a good production. We produce all the varieties especially JD cherry because it’s shape is not affected by rains,” said a grower.
The growers are presently selling Makhmali and Avval Number somewhere between 70-100 Rs per Kg to the dealers.
Mishri, the main variety is yet to ripe fully. The cherry season will continue for one more month and the will depend on market demand and production, growers said, adding, Italian Cherry fetches good rates because of its size.
Ab Rahmaan Mir President Fruit and Vegetable Union Shopian said, the market of this fruit is very good these days and its production too has been very satisfactory.
“We receive cherry fruit from different areas like Shopian, Kulgam and few areas of Anantnag also. From here we supply them to Delhi, Srinagar, and other parts, and their rates vary according to their shape, taste and size”, he added.
