BUSINESS

The latest controversy to erupt in Kashmir is of watermelons. This controversy erupted after few Kashmiri doctors alleged that artificial chemicals were used for ripening watermelons, adding this was not the season of watermelon harvesting. Most doctors stirred social media, affecting the livelihoods of many who rely on selling watermelons. However, the claim of March-April not being a season of harvesting is not true and lacks basic research. According to National Horticulture Board, in India, the predominantly tropical climate makes all seasons conducive to watermelon cultivation. In states such as Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and others, watermelon cultivation is viable nearly year-round. However, watermelons are sensitive to cold and frost, necessitating cultivation in r...

As the holy month Ramadan is here, markets across the Kashmir Valley are bustling with activity. However, residents are facing the challenge of soaring prices for essential food items, triggering widespread resentment among the residents. Amidst a surge in demand for essential goods, the absence of any official intervention to check food prices has perturbed the consumers. "There is nobody to check market prices which the shopkeepers set by their own liking," said Abdul Rashid Khan, a resident of Nawakadal in Srinagar. One of the most alarming rise has been witnessed in the prices of Mutton. "The butchers charge with their own will. The prices are at places as high as 680 a kilogram and at others 650, 600, it is all a matter of liking with nobody to check," said Suhail, a local re...

Kashmiri bat manufacturers have set their sights on prominent players from renowned cricketing nations to play with Kashmiri bats in the upcoming T20 World Cup. Speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), representatives of bat manufacturers said there has been a surge in demand for Kashmir Willow bats in global markets following their use by international cricket players in the last two World Cups. Fawzul Kabiir, spokesperson of the Bat Manufacturers Association Kashmir, informed KNO that this will mark the third consecutive occasion where players will use Kashmiri bats in the world cup. He said that during the previous two World Cups, athletes from lesser-known countries played with Kashmiri bats, but this year, discussions are underway with several prominent cricke...

India signed the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the four-nation European Free Trade Association (EFTA) bloc, on Sunday. Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal co-chaired the meeting on the India-EFTA trade agreement in the national capital on Sunday. The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) is a regional trade organisation of four countries–Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland–that aims to promote free trade and economic integration. Earlier in the day, the Foreign Minister of Iceland, Bjarni Benediktsson, and Liechtenstein, Dominique Hasler, arrived in the national capital for the signing of Trade and Economic Participation Agreement (TEPA). Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal posted about her arrival sayng that the visit by the Liechten...

Prime Minister Narendra Mod declared a substantial reduction of ₹100 in the prices of domestic gas cylinders. "Today, on Women's Day, our Government has decided to reduce LPG cylinder prices by Rs. 100. This will significantly ease the financial burden on millions of households across the country, especially benefiting our Nari Shakti," he stated. Emphasizing the broader impact of the initiative, PM Modi underscored the importance of accessible cooking gas in fostering a healthier environment and supporting family well-being. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to empowering women and ensuring 'Ease of Living' for all. "By making cooking gas more affordable, we also aim to support the well-being of families and ensure a healthier environment. This is in line with our comm...

A cricket bat manufacturer in the Sangam area here was in for a pleasant surprise when Sachin Tendulkar and his family visited his manufacturing unit on Saturday. Tendulkar, accompanied by wife Anjali and daughter Sara, stopped by at a unit in Charsoo on the Srinagar-Jammu highway and interacted with the workers there. “We were busy making bats when a vehicle stopped at our gate. We were pleasantly surprised to find the Little Master and his family," Mohammad Shaheen Parray, owner of MJ Sports, told PTI over phone. Parray said Tendulkar checked the quality of the bats made of Kashmir willow. “He stroked a few bats and was quite pleased with the quality. Tendulkar said he had come to compare the Kashmir willow bats with those made of English willow. “We requested him to lend ...

Mohammad Shafi, a resident of Srinagar, seems confused as he wanders from one vendor to another, attempting to purchase vegetables along the stretch from Amira Kadal to Lal Ded Hospital road. The reason for the confusion, according to Shafi, is the disparity in prices among grocers within a radius of no more than 200 meters. “I have checked the rates of each vendor, and they are all selling vegetables at different prices,” Shafi told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO). "At Amira Kadal grocers sell onions for Rs 40, capsicums for Rs 120 and tomatoes for Rs 70 per kilogram," he said, adding that the prices set by vegetable vendors differ from those found at Maharaji Bazar and LD Hospital Road. “There is no fixed pricing on vegetables. Rates fluctuate by 50 to 100 percent be...

The Centre on Tuesday said that the production of saffron has declined by over 67 percent from 2010 to 2024, however, the production has increased marginally by 4 percent in the last year. ALSO READ: Industrial pollution forces transition of Kashmir’s Saffron farmers to new frontiers In reply to a question by National Conference MP Hasnain Masoodi, the Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Arjun Munda, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said as per the estimates provided by the Office of Financial Commissioner (Revenue) of Jammu & Kashmir, the production of saffron in Jammu and Kashmir has decreased from 8.0 MT in 2010-11 to 2.6 MT in 2023-24 (provisional), resulting in an overall decline in production by about 67.5% over the period. "However, during the ...

Two college-going youths from Kashmir have secured a deal on India's famous reality show, Shark Tank. In the recent episode of Shark Tank India 3, Hamaad and Saad Tramboo, aged 18 and 20, showcased their brand of Kashmir willow bats. The Srinagar-based Tramboo Sports has been manufacturing cricket bats from both English willow and Kashmiri willow. The duo mentioned that Kashmir Willow is heavier than English Willow, yet they have successfully managed it. They claimed ownership of the largest manufacturer of Kashmir Willow Bats, using Premium Grade 1 Kashmir Willow to craft their products, ensuring lighter and better-quality cricket bats. Since its inception in 2021, the duo also claimed that their brand has sold over 20,000 bats, even securing a deal for 1,000 bats in Qatar....

Apple growers and traders in Kashmir have expressed concern over a significant drop in fruit prices in the last few weeks. Growers from different areas said that apples fetched good returns earlier but now rates have dipped with some 10 per cent of the produce yet to reach mandis from cold storages. Aafaq Ahmad, an apple trader from Pulwama said that A grade apple would fetch over Rs 1300 in October, November and December last year but now it is sold for around Rs 900-1000. He said that the same is the case with B-grade apples and rates have witnessed a decline of around Rs 200 per box. Growers said that the main reason behind the decline in prices is continuous import of apples from other countries. Subzar Ahmad, another Apple trader from Shopian said that they sold apples ...