Broccoli, Lettuce, Sweet Corn: Kashmir farmers shift to exotic vegetable farming, script success

Srinagar: Muhammad Akbar Dar, a farmer from Baramulla would grow traditional vegetables, which would fetch him not enough sum to suffice his family expenses.
Though his four kanal land is under vegetable cultivation, the expenses in the form of fertilizers and pesticides, would consume a major part of his income.
Come 2022, he started growing new exotic varieties like broccoli, sweet corn and others, his income improved apart from low maintenance cost.
“I got to know that the agriculture department is promoting these new vegetable varieties and purchased seeds. Now, my vegetables reach various markets and stores , which has increased my income,” Dar said.
Known for apples and saffron, Kashmir is getting recognition for growing exotic veggies, which are doubling the income of farmers.
Broccoli, lettuce, snow peas, parsley, and sweet corn have found fertile ground in the region’s temperate climate, offering a lucrative alternative to traditional crops.
Farmers have embraced innovative agricultural practices to grow these exotic vegetables. Leveraging modern techniques and locally adapted methods, they have managed to overcome the challenges posed by Kashmir’s unique geography and climate.
Farmers are reporting handsome earnings from the cultivation of these high-value vegetables, fetching premium prices in local markets as well as attracting interest from regional distributors.
“We saw an opportunity to introduce something different that would thrive in our climate. The response has been beyond our expectations,” remarked Shakkor Ahmad, an enthusiastic farmer from Budgam.
Pertinently, the idea of introducing the exotic vegetables dates back to 2019, when the agriculture department imported seeds of these vegetable varieties from Holland and Spain.
The department then targeted to grow exotic crops on at least 500 hectares of land.
Officials from the agriculture department said the idea clicked as many districts have adopted this trend and grow exotic vegetables in “good” quantities.
“Now there are better market facilities and constant expertise from the department. We are hoping that the trend continues and Kashmir produces the best organic exotic vegetables in good quantity,” he said.
Currently only 100 of 48,000 hectares of land is under vegetable cultivation in Kashmir. Each hectare of land produces 325 quintals of vegetables