“Consecutive Rainfall Decimates Shopian’s Cherry Harvest, Farmers Express Grief”

Aaqib Naik

Shopian, 18 July : The cherry harvest in Shopian District has suffered a catastrophic blow this year as untimely and relentless rains devastated the region, causing significant damage to the cherry crop. Growers are expressing their deep grief and dismay as the cherries, unable to withstand the continuous downpour during the harvest season, ended up distorted, spoiled, and cracked, rendering them inedible and unsuitable for sale.

The cherry-growing community of the district had high hopes for a fruitful harvest this year, but Mother Nature had other plans. The unending downpours, persisting for several days, caused immense stress on the fruit and led to severe damage. The excessive moisture resulted in deformities and rotting, leaving the growers with substantial losses.

Talking to Arising State, local cherry growers said that a staggering 75% of their cherry fruit has been affected, leaving many farmers in dire straits. Cherries are a significant source of income for them, and this devastating blow has sparked concerns about the economic repercussions for local businesses and livelihoods.

“We had been looking forward to a bountiful cherry harvest this year, but the unrelenting rains have shattered our dreams. It’s heartbreaking to witness our hard work and investment go to waste,” laments a distressed cherry grower.

In an unfortunate turn of events, one cherry grower, Bashir Ahmad Sheikh, has been hit hard by relentless rains, causing significant damage to their harvest. With an initial target of 4000 boxes of cherries to be harvested, they have only managed to pick 1000 boxes to date.

With a substantial number of cherries splitting and cracking due to excessive moisture, this unfortunate situation has not only impacted the quantity of cherries available for harvest but has also led to an extension of labor hours required for plucking. Workers must carefully sort through and salvage the remaining cherries.

“As a result of this unfortunate weather-related predicament, we will be able to harvest 2000 boxes of cherries, incurring a massive loss of 2000 boxes from our initial target,” he added.

Growers in the area said that Mishri cherries, known for their delectable taste and abundant presence, have faced devastating losses this season, overshadowing other cherry varieties like GD, Double, and Italy. The delicate nature of Mishri cherries and their late ripening, which contributes to their superior taste, has made them more susceptible to spoilage, exacerbating the losses faced by growers.

Rayees Ahmad, a cherry grower among many farmers in the area, suffered losses due to relentless rains. The adverse weather conditions have not only affected their produce but have also made transportation a formidable challenge. The NH44 road was rendered impassable due to heavy rainfall during harvesting time. Additionally, the closure of air freight services has posed a serious dilemma for cherry growers, as they face uncertainty about shipping their produce to potential buyers in other regions.

Typically, cherry plucking provides a month-long opportunity for laborers to earn a living during the harvest season. However, this year’s incessant rains have not only affected the fruit but have drastically limited the plucking period. With a substantial portion of cherries spoiled and damaged, the demand for labor has sharply declined, leaving these workers with only a few days of work now.

While cherry growers hope for better weather conditions in the coming days to salvage the remaining crop, laborers anxiously await an improvement in their work prospects. The need for sustainable solutions and measures to support both cherry growers and their dedicated laborers becomes evident, ensuring the preservation of this essential economic activity and the well-being of those who contribute to it.