A severe rainfall shortfall in parts of Jammu and Kashmir is emerging as a major concern for the Valley’s apple orchards and paddy fields. With some areas facing deficits of up to 83%, prolonged dry conditions are beginning to affect both crop health and farm output.
Growers are reporting a decline in apple quality as trees face rising moisture stress. Horticulture specialists have warned that continued lack of rain can trigger physiological problems in the fruit, including cracking and lenticel blotch, both of which can reduce market value and increase losses for orchard owners.
The dry spell is also creating pressure on paddy cultivation, which depends heavily on adequate water availability during key growth stages. As the moisture gap widens, farmers are increasingly worried that yields could suffer if conditions do not improve soon.
The situation highlights the vulnerability of the Valley’s farm economy to uneven weather patterns. If the rain deficit persists, the impact could extend beyond fields and orchards to affect harvest quality, farmer incomes and the wider agricultural trade linked to apples and rice.
