Socio-Economic Dynamics, Agronomic Constraints and Technological Interventions in Kashmir’s Almond Sector: A Review

Almond (Prunus dulcis) is a vital temperate nut crop in Jammu and Kashmir historically accounts for over 90% of India's domestic almond production. However, local production satisfies less than 10% of India's total market demand, leading to national import costs exceeding ₹10,000 crore each year. Over the past twenty-five years the area under almond cultivation in Kashmir dropped significantly falling from more than 26,000 hectares in 2000 to roughly 5,400 hectares in recent years. This review analyzes the underlying causes of this decline and outlines practical, evidence-based strategies to modernize the sector. The decline stems from three major areas: (1) low farm-gate prices, high middleman margins (45-55%), and the conversion of traditional agricultural land into high-density dwarf apple orchards; (2) environmental challenges on the elevated Karewa (Wudar) plateaus, such as topsoil loss, summer droughts and early spring frosts that kill blossoms during the February–March flowering period; and (3) high genetic variation in traditional seedling rootstocks, irregular crop yields, and a lack of mechanized post-harvest processing facilities. Research from SKUAST-Kashmir and ICAR-CITH offers practical solutions to these issues. Late-blooming cultivars like Waris, Makhdoom, and Shalimar flower 15-20 days later than local varieties, allowing them to escape spring frosts. Additionally, introducing self-fertile scions reduces the risks associated with poor insect pollination during cold weather. Clonal hybrid rootstocks (such as GF-677 and Garnem) improve tree vigor, resist lime chlorosis, and tolerate drought conditions common in Karewa soils. Shifting to high-density planting configurations (1,250-1,900 trees/ha) combined with drip fertigation can increase average yields from 0.8-1.1 t/ha up to 2.8-3.8 t/ha, while reducing the vegetative juvenile period from 7 years down to 3. Revitalizing the sector requires aligning these field technologies with policy initiatives under the J&K Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP). Key steps include enforcing legal bans on clay mining across the Karewas, deploying decentralized hulling machinery, and securing Geographical Indication (GI) certification. Restoring Kashmir's almond production is critical for reducing India's import reliance and protecting fragile Himalayan upland environments.

Jahangeer A. Baba*1, Zahoor A. Bhat1, Shabeena Majid1, Muneer Ahmad1, Syed Shujat2, Rukhsar A. Dar3 and Gazanfer Gani4 Click here to download file

Research Review | Published online : 14-Oct-2026