Unlike apple which has enjoyed a high status and understandably so, Kashmir walnut business remains out of the limelight for most of the time experiencing neglect, declining production and policy level challenges that hamper the trades economic potential and aesthetic value.
Truth be told-this decline in walnut production is partly due to people switching over to quick growing crops and also due to the lack of government support and policies, outdated farming techniques, limited processing, and inadequate market etc.
The walnut harvesting season in Kashmir Valley generally occurs during the autumn months, spanning from August to mid-October, with the primary harvest typically concentrated around September, coinciding with the optimal ripeness of the walnuts.
Expert “walnut thrashers” employ a specialized skillset, ascending trees without footwear and utilizing extended cedar or willow implements to dislodge mature walnuts, thereby incurring potential hazards, including falls from heights ranging from 30 to 45 meters.
In Kashmir Valley, there are multiple types of walnuts. Kagazi walnuts are large in size and have a thin shell, making them easy to open. Burzul walnuts are medium-sized, with a thick, dark outer shell and delicious kernels. Wonth walnuts are characterized by their hard shell, which is often used for extracting walnut oil.
However, lack of marketing and government’s cold attitude towards walnut trade in Kashmir has left the markets to go for hybrid, imported walnuts that arrive here from California, China and Chile. These sell like hot cakes due to better packaging, better grading, size and appearance, despite being way too inferior in taste and nutritional value compared to Kashmir walnut.
Kashmiri walnuts, cultivated organically, offer an exceptional taste and a rich nutritional value. These walnuts are abundant in omega-3 fatty acids, especially alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which has demonstrated the ability to diminish the risk of heart disease by decreasing harmful cholesterol and enhancing blood circulation.
Walnut growers in Kashmir Valley are encountering challenges such as a scarcity of processing facilities, inadequate packaging support, and limited market access, which frequently result in unsatisfactory profits. These fundamental issues warrant the attention of the present government which must implement measures to improve returns, thereby ensuring the complete satisfaction of walnut producers.
Furthermore, it is highly likely that tackling these challenges could elevate satisfaction among walnut producers, though outcomes depend on policy specifics and implementation potency, unlocking a brighter future for all.
Walnut growers could turn the tables if government makes some serious efforts to promote and support the Kashmiri walnut industry. This would mean some subsidies, promotional information to be made available for the farmers, better marketing strategies be formed and also dedicated walnut mandi’s set up.
Outdated farming techniques combined with a lot of manual work with unspecialized and unskilled labour contributes to lower yields and makes it difficult for farmers to make the trade profitable as well as to take it on an industrial scale.
Kashmiri walnuts are a shining example of the region’s rich natural heritage, boasting exceptional flavour, nutritional value, and health benefits that are shared with the world, including countries like the UK, the Netherlands, and France.
