Srinagar : The cherry picking has begun in Kashmir with truck loads of cherry cartons reaching various Mandi's across the Valley.
The early varities of the fruit such as Siya ( Black) and Italy Cherry are being harvested in cherry rich areas of Ganderbal, Shopian and Srinagar and Baramulla districts.
This year the farmers say that they are harvesting a bumper crop.
"We are looking forward to reap rich good dividends", said Ghulam Ahamd, a cherry grower from Ganderbal.
The harvesting season will peak in next two weeks and continue upto June end.
An official from the Department of Horticulture said that around 4700 hectares of land are under cherry cultivation in Jammu and Kashmir.
He said that the region produces annually around 13000 to 15000 metric tonnes of cherries.
"Of them Shopian district alone produces around 6 to 7 thousand metric tonnes ", said the official.
While the cherry harvesting is slowly picking pace, the good market prices has also brought cheers to the farmers.
"As of now one Kg of Italy variety is sold at Rs 70 to 80 in Fruit Mandi Shopian", said Wani.
He said that they were looking forward to good market rates", he added.
Over the past two years, the farmers heavy suffered losses due to protracted COVID-19 induced lockdowns. This year, however, the farmers are expecting to reap rich the dividends.
