Srinagar, June 6 : Weather vagaries have caused 55 percent loss to famous Cherry fruit this year in Kashmir valley, farmers associated with it said.

The plucking of cherry fruit from the trees and their simultaneous supply to markets in cardboard boxes is in full swing in Kashmir valley.

But the farmers associated with it say that this year due to the continuous rains and hailstorm the crop has suffered a huge loss.

The cherry crop usually reaches the market in mid-May and its season lasts till mid-July for its sensitive nature and its life span is very short. However, due to the intermittent rains coupled with hailstorm and below normal temperatures the crop suffered 55 percent loss this year, a farmer Sonubar Khan of Gutlibagh in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district told UNI.

The 55-year-old farmer said that the crop was initially growing well but hailstorm and below normal temperatures caused tremendous damage to the crop this year.

He said that the fruit that has been plucked from the trees is still lying in the gardens as it needs a huge manpower to pick up only good ones.

Khan said that a huge amount is spent on laborers, pesticides and fertilizers etc. to grow the fruit but this year one may not get the amount spent on the garden.

He said half of the total population in Ganderbal district is dependent on the outcome of the fruit. However, the production this year has put them on cross roads.

“Cherry fruit is lying in our orchards and no one comes to buy it. Last year, the price of one kg box was Rs 350 but this year no one is ready to buy even for Rs 100” Khan said.

He said that the cherry of Ganderbal region is standard and quite popular and people cherish it.

There are four varieties of cherry fruit in Kashmir including Double Cherry, Mishri, Velvet and Italian.

Experts believe that cherry fruit is very useful for health as it prevents one from Corona, good for heart and maintains blood pressure besides protecting a person from various infections.

Khan said “if the administration would allow the pilgrims to stop on the way during the forthcoming Amarnath yatra, there are bright chances that pilgrims would buy cherries from our stalls, which would be of great benefit to us”.

The 62-day-long annual Amarnath Yatra will start from July 1 in the Kashmir Himalayas.

Khan regretted that no official team has come to us so far to assess the damage that occurred due to the unpleasant weather and hailstorm.