Srinagar- The season’s first major snowfall has brought much-needed relief to Kashmir’s farming and horticulture sectors, ending a prolonged dry spell that had raised serious concerns over crop health, orchard sustainability and water availability across the Valley.
After nearly five months of scant rainfall and snowfall, Jammu and Kashmir witnessed widespread snow and rain on Friday. The precipitation has been welcomed as a timely intervention by farmers, fruit growers and experts, who say the moisture has arrived at a critical stage for the region’s largely rain-fed agriculture.
Agriculture and horticulture experts said that the extended dry spell had led to declining soil moisture, drying up of water sources and increased stress on farmlands and orchards. They warned that continued dryness could have severely affected flowering, fruit setting and overall crop productivity in the coming season.
“This snowfall has pulled Kashmir’s farms back from the brink,” said Aamir Yousuf Bhat, a fruit trader and horticulture expert. He said prolonged moisture deficiency directly impacts flowering and fruit formation, particularly in orchards. “Had it not snowed now, it would have caused serious damage to both agriculture and horticulture,” he added.
Bhat noted that delayed and uneven germination due to lack of moisture had already begun affecting crops. However, he said the snowfall has eased those concerns to a large extent and restored confidence among farmers and orchardists.
Environmental expert Dr Umar Mushtaq said most orchards in Kashmir depend on snowmelt rather than artificial irrigation, making them particularly vulnerable during long dry spells. He said the absence of precipitation had disrupted natural irrigation systems and reduced water availability.
“This snowfall will replenish soil moisture, reduce stress on fruit trees and help curb pest attacks,” he said. “It will also support the water table and improve irrigation prospects during the summer months.”
Farmers who had sown rabi crops said the lack of rainfall had delayed seed germination and created uncertainty about yields. Mustard, an important rabi crop harvested in April, was among those under threat due to moisture deficiency. With the arrival of snowfall, farmers expressed renewed hope that crops would now germinate properly and develop normally.
“This snowfall was the need of the hour,” said a farmer from south Kashmir. “The seeds will sprout now, and we are hopeful of a better harvest.”
Officials from the Public Health Engineering department said the prolonged dry spell had pushed several water sources to critical levels, with some drying up completely. They said the recent snowfall offers hope that springs and streams will gradually recharge, helping improve water supply and support hydropower generation.
While it may take a few days for water sources to fully replenish, those associated with agriculture and horticulture said the snowfall has eased immediate stress on crops and orchards and improved prospects for the rural economy. Many expressed optimism that adequate natural moisture will translate into better yields and improved economic returns in the coming season.
