Suhail Khan
Kulgam, Oct 30 : After the late Bashir Ahmad War’s pioneering efforts with Kiwi as an alternative to apples, Shabir Ahmad, a farmer in the southern region of Kashmir, has now embarked on cultivating Japan’s famous fruit, Persimmon, on his farm.
In an exclusive interview with The Kashmir Despatch, Shabir Ahmad, a resident of Sonigam Kulgam, expressed his enthusiasm for this new venture, stating that he wanted to think differently and introduce a unique fruit to the region. He highlighted the popularity of persimmon in Himachal Pradesh and its potential as a game-changer in Kashmir.
He said Four years ago, my father brought a few persimmon trees and seeds from Shimla. Despite initial doubts about whether the fruit would thrive in Kashmir’s climate, the trees began producing fruit after two years, surpassing our expectations.
Recognizing the success, Shabir said that we shared the plants with others in the village, promoting the cultivation of persimmon in the region.
Shabir said the low-maintenance nature of these trees means they hardly require any pesticides and only need a sufficient amount of water. The fruit-bearing capability of the trees within two years makes it an attractive option for those with limited land.
He said we have established a nursery with around 1200 persimmon plants to encourage others in the farming community to adopt this new crop.
Shabir said that tough Persimmon cannot fully replace apples; however, I see it as a viable alternative business for farmers facing challenges in the apple market.
He expressed the need for government support and initiatives to develop the market for Persimmon in order to capitalize on its potential.
The introduction of persimmon in Kashmir comes after years after the Department of Horticulture in Baramulla district successfully promoted the cultivation of another alternative fruit, Kiwi, back in 2002.
With Kashmir being the main producer of apples in the country, farmers have been facing price-related struggles in recent years. Therefore, diversification into fruits like persimmon and kiwi offers new avenues for farmers to explore and supplement their income.
Persimmon, scientifically known as Diospyros kaki and with a rich history dating back thousands of years to China, has the potential to contribute to the agricultural landscape of Kashmir and offer economic opportunities to farmers.
Suhail Khan is a filmmaker, content writer, and freelance journalist.
