Kathua, Aug 30: Farmers have commenced harvesting walnuts in the hilly regions of Bani in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district. Terming it the fruit of their hard work, farmers said they eagerly await the season to arrive, according to The News Mill.
Farmers and their families are actively gathering ripe walnuts from traditional orchards, As the harvesting season starts in the hilly regions.
The farmers in the regions use through natural farming methodsopf cultivation, cleaning and sun-drying harvested walnuts for five to six days before being sold in the market. Local farmers regard walnut cultivation as not only an agricultural activity but also a vital source of income and the culmination of year-long efforts.
Madan Lal, a longtime horticulturist who owns around 100 walnut trees mainly of the Hamdan and Suleman varieties, reported an annual yield reaching up to 50,000 walnuts. He stated that walnut farming has been a crucial livelihood for nearly 30 years. Madan Lal added, “I draw great inspiration whenever Prime Minister Modi speaks about farmers and horticulture; the Prime Minister’s words regarding farmers and horticulture, shared through the ‘Mann Ki Baat’ program, have encouraged me to move forward.”
Another cultivator, Adil, described his anticipation for the harvest each year, saying, “They eagerly await the time when the walnuts ripen on the trees, and harvesting can begin.”
He said the post-harvest process, including thorough cleaning and sun-drying for about five to six days prior to market sale. Adil expressed pride in walnut cultivation, calling it “the fruit of a year’s hard work and a reflection of my deep connection to the land.”
As per District Horticulture Officer Mohammad Shakeel, approximately 3,000 families in the Bani area of Kathua rely significantly on walnut production for their livelihoods.
He noted that a single walnut sells for around ₹3 in the market, but it takes considerable time for a sapling to mature and bear fruit. “Once a tree reaches full productivity, it can generate an income of approximately ₹15,000 to ₹20,000 per season,” Shakeel said.
He further emphasised the considerable potential for walnut farming in the region and stated that the Horticulture Department is actively encouraging farmers and promoting the sector. For the past two years, the department has focused on the ‘Chandler’ walnut variety, which Shakeel described as a premium-quality type offering promising prospects for the area’s farmers.
