Srinagar: The Cherry harvesting session of Jammu and Kashmir is emerging as a big relief for the farmers of the Valley.

Known for its mesmerizing beauty and heavenly climate, this picturesque region has emerged as a haven for cherry cultivation, providing a vital lifeline to orchardists and labourers in the mid-year when most other fruits remain dormant, reports ANI.

Speaking about the significance of cherries in the valley, a Horticulture Development Offical, told ANI, “Cherry holds a crucial position in Kashmir’s horticulture sector, especially after the strawberry harvest. Cultivated across 333 hectares of land in Srinagar district alone, we witness an impressive yield of approximately 3,000 metric tons of cherries.”

Highlighting the positive trend, a local farmer told the Indian news agency, “In earlier times, we had a limited range of cherry varieties such as Avval, Italy, Mishry, Makhmaly, Double, and Hybrid. However, our horticulturists have recently introduced new varieties, which not only require less effort to grow but also deliver superior results. These advancements have significantly boosted our production capacity.”

Cherry harvesting has emerged as a major fruit cultivation in the Valley.