Anantnag: In a promising agricultural shift, farmers in the Kokernag area of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district have increasingly turned to the cultivation of Hazelnut (locally known as Funduq)—a rare and high-value dry fruit—over the past few years. In the region’s rocky terrains, where traditional crops struggle to thrive, hazelnuts have emerged as a beacon of hope and profitability.
Back in 1982, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) established a sprawling hazelnut farm on 340 kanals of land acquired from the Forest Department in Lehinwan, Kokernag. The farm, located along the Kokernag-Warwan-Marwah road at the foothills of Margan Top, now houses over 3,500 hazelnut trees and yields approximately 30 quintals of produce annually.
According to local farmer Manzoor Ahmad, awareness programs by the Department of Horticulture encouraged many to adopt hazelnut cultivation. “Most of our land is rocky and unsuitable for rice or other traditional crops. Earlier, we grew maize or walnuts, but hazelnuts require less labour and are well-suited to our climate,” he said.
Another farmer shared that he planted hazelnut saplings three years ago and is expecting a good harvest this year. “We can sell the produce directly in the market. The Horticulture Department is also helping us with guidance and marketing support,” he added.
The introduction of hazelnuts in Kashmir dates back to 1989, when an Indo-Italian project first promoted its cultivation. Since then, the Lehinwan farm has evolved into a center for agricultural research and farmer training, attracting growing interest from the private sector.
Farhat Jan, Development Officer at the Horticulture Department, stated, “This farm was neglected for years, but we’ve now revitalized it. With increasing farmer participation, we are also promoting hazelnut cultivation in the private sector.”
Chief Horticulture Officer R.K. Pangotra affirmed that the government is committed to expanding hazelnut farming. “Lehinwan is being developed as a model lab farm where farmers receive scientific training. Hazelnuts can be an ideal alternative for water-scarce areas like Larnoo,” he said.
Experts believe that in the face of climate change, hazelnuts could become a viable crop across many parts of the Kashmir Valley. With increasing global demand, the nut is emerging as a profitable alternative for local farmers.
