BUSINESS

Hatchmarg, a small village in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, is becoming famous as the ‘tomato village’ of Kashmir. It is proving to be economically significant for the local population with women also making their livelihood from it. The village grows close to 4,000 quintals of tomatoes annually on 400 kanals of land employing almost the entire population of the area. As per the details available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the village produces about 4,000 quintals of tomatoes every year, and of 300 families living there, 280 are associated with this sector. Around 1,200 people, particularly women, are associated with it. They work together in the fields during harvest and cultivation seasons. Tanveer, one of the growers using about 6 kanals of his lan...

At a time when the government is making serious efforts to revive foreign tourism in Kashmir, many countries continue enforcing their travel advisories against Kashmir. As per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), earlier this month, the British government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has also issued a fresh advisory asking British nationals to not travel to Kashmir. In its advisory FDCO had advised its citizens against all travel to the region of Jammu and Kashmir (including Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Sonmarg, the city of Srinagar and Jammu-Srinagar National Highway) “except for travel by air to and from the city of Jammu and travel within the region of Ladakh.” In August, Australia also updated its advisory without making any changes in its travel advisory ...

Cold storage units, that have come in handy for Kashmiri apple growers in selling their produce at their will, have been booked in advance this year and there is no space available to accommodate more growers. The growers from various areas of Kashmir told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that there is a good demand for apples in different markets that are kept in cold storage units and that they have already booked space in advance in cold storage units so as to fetch good rates after March next year. This year’s production is less as compared to the last few years, they said, adding, “Even the demand is good at present, and it becomes more in spring months. So, more and growers prefer to keep their part of produce in cold storage units,” a grower from south Kashmir’s Sho...

In a remarkable feat of innovation and agricultural experimentation, a man in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district has successfully grown the premium short and bold local land-race of rice, Mushk Budji, on the rooftop of his three-storey house using hydroponic techniques, without a speck of traditional soil. The Mushk Budji rice, renowned for its exceptional aroma and culinary qualities, commands a price of Rs 20,000 per quintal. Zahoor Ahmad Reshi, who embarked on this remarkable agricultural experiment, expressed his excitement about the groundbreaking results. “I conducted this trial with the utmost care, and I am proud to say that I achieved a 100 percent success rate with it,” Zahoor told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO). He emphasised the importance of experimentation ...

The business around the Khanqah of Khiram Sirhama in Anantnag district in south Kashmir has scaled up, traders said. Mohammed Shaban Mir, a local businessman said that with the arrival of Rabi ul Awwal month, business has increased manifolds in the entire Khiram area. The month of Rabi ul Awwal is the third month of the Islamic lunar calendar and marks the birth anniversary of Muhammad ﷺ, the last messenger of Islam. Rabi ul Awwal is observed with religious gaiety across the valley with people decorating the mosques and streets to show their love for the last messenger of Islam ﷺ. Khiram holds the holy relic of Prophet Muhammad sees a heightened attendance of devotees from all over the valley, Shaban said. "The place is always thronged with devotees, however, during the days of...

The Government of India has lifted additional duties on American walnuts, almonds, and apples along with other products. The Ministry of Finance announced the elimination of tariffs on a number of American products, including chickpeas, lentils (masur), apples, walnuts in shells, fresh or dried almonds, as well as shelled almonds, in a notification dated September 5. This notification was issued in light of the G20 Summit, which was held in New Delhi from September 9–10 and was attended by American President Joe Biden. Both countries decided to resolve six WTO issues and remove retaliatory tariffs on particular US goods during Prime Minister Modi's official visit to the US in June. India will eliminate extra taxes on chickpeas (10%), lentils (20%), fresh or dry almonds (7/kg), ...

Jammu Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI) has invited applications from startups to register under JK Startup Policy. In this regard, the Director, JKEDI on Friday convened a meeting of senior Faculty members of the Institute to accelerate the registration of Startups under the Jammu Kashmir Startup Policy. During the meeting, Director, JKEDI, Ajaz Ahmad Bhat emphasised on the crucial role that startups play in strengthening economic growth, creating employment opportunities, and advancing technological innovations. He reiterated the Government’s unwavering commitment to create an enabling and sustainable environment for startups to flourish in J&K, thereby making significant contributions to the region’s socio-economic development. “It is imperative that...

Heavy exports of walnuts from Californian, Chinese and Chile continue to affect the walnut industry of the valley, which is currently witnessing a low demand for this dry fruit nationwide. It is the peak time for harvesting of walnuts across the valley. The growers, however, claimed that there is a low demand for the walnuts for the six straight years due to the heavy exports of walnuts from these foreign countries. President Kashmir Walnut Growers Association Haji Bahadur Khan told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that walnuts have a reduced demand in the markets of India. He said the rates of walnut kernels have gone down by almost 50 percent this season. “A high quality walnut kernel, which we would sell at Rs 1200 per kilogram, sells at Rs 700per kilogram. Similarly,...

Illegal fishing continues unchecked in Nallah Madumati and Arin within the Bandipora region of north Kashmir's district, despite the Fisheries department's lofty assurances. Miscreants employ various methods to capture fish in different sections of Nallah Arin. According to locals who spoke to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), they utilize fishing nets, bleaching powder, and various types of hooks for this purpose. Local residents have raised serious concerns, accusing the Fisheries department of negligence and indifference to the ongoing issues in the nallah. According to them, the Fisheries department guards assigned to the area are conspicuously absent. Furthermore, the use of bleaching powder is deemed inhumane, subjecting the fish to a protracted and agonizing demise ...

Admin has opened its doors to ride-hailing services like Ola and Uber, following the official enactment of the Jammu Kashmir Motor Vehicle Aggregator Rules, 2023. In a press release, admin said that the Jammu Kashmir Motor Vehicle Aggregator Rules, 2023, have been crafted after a period of soliciting public input, addressing objections, and considering suggestions from various stakeholders. These rules extend their jurisdiction to aggregators that engage vehicles within the Union territory as per the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, encompassing all categories of motor vehicles, including e-rickshaws. To operate as an aggregator, people are required to obtain a valid license issued in accordance with these newly established regulations. This regulatory framework aims...