BUSINESS

After suffering losses due to various reasons in recent years, fruit growers in Kashmir are seeing a ray of hope as traditional apples fetch higher prices in the market this season. The fruit growers from different parts of Kashmir told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the demand for traditional varieties has increased significantly from last year, resulting in hefty profits for farmers. Javaid Ahmad, a fruit grower from the Pulwama district, claimed that compared to last year when they struggled to sell their produce and received minimal profits, this year, they have been receiving offers from fruit businesses to purchase their yield. Most orchards have received more than double the prices they received in the different apple Mandis last year, he said. The growers...

Khyber Cement has introduced direct dealer-retailer communication in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, News agency KNT reported. Umar Tramboo, CEO – Khyber Cement, introduced a platform designed to facilitate direct communication between dealers and retailers. To mark this significant milestone, key spokespeople of the brand convened a meeting in Anantnag, attended by scores of people, including dealers and retailers. This gathering also served as a platform to introduce the new methods and discuss the future infrastructure plans for the Kashmir region. During the event, the key spokespeople also took the opportunity to present the dedicated Khyber team for the Anantnag area. The team includes Wasim Khan as Sales Head, Feroz Ahmed Shah as the lead for sales and marketing, and Nayeem...

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...