The Department of Horticulture in Jammu and Kashmir has launched a high-density almond cultivation pilot project in Pulwama district of South Kashmir, India, covering 100 kanals at the Fruit Plant Nursery in the Nowgam area of Newa, to reverse a sustained decline in one of the region’s oldest horticultural crops.

Erratic weather, low yields and diminishing profitability have driven a large number of Kashmir farmers away from almond cultivation toward high-density apple orchards, which produce more from smaller landholdings. Pulwama, once known for its extensive almond gardens, has seen thousands of kanals of traditional almond plantations converted to apple orchards in recent years.

Riyaz Ahmad Shah, Chief Horticulture Officer, Pulwama, says the project is intended to test whether modern techniques can restore farmer confidence in the crop. “The objective of this project is to evaluate the performance of high-density almond plantations under local conditions. If the results are encouraging, the model will be extended to farmers across the district so that they can adopt modern cultivation practices, increase production and improve their income,” Shah said.

Shah adds that the department sees the initiative as serving both an economic and a cultural purpose. “Our aim is to revive this traditional industry by introducing scientific and high-density cultivation methods. We want farmers to see almonds as a profitable crop once again while ensuring that this historic horticultural legacy is preserved for future generations,” he said.

Horticulture experts say introducing improved varieties and scientific orchard management alongside high-density planting could restore the competitiveness of almond cultivation across the Valley. Almond farming continues to support the livelihoods of thousands of families in South Kashmir, particularly in Pulwama.