Nursery growers say the abrupt rise in temperature has made planting difficult and disrupted the usual seasonal cycle
Unusually high temperatures and a sharp rainfall deficit have hit plant nurseries across the Kashmir Valley, with farmers delaying the planting of new trees and affecting a nursery industry estimated to be worth about ₹100 crore.
Weather officials say the Valley has recorded daytime temperatures between 20 and 21 degrees Celsius since mid-February — about 11 degrees above normal for the period. Rainfall has also been scarce. In February, Srinagar recorded only 5.3 mm of precipitation, the lowest for the month since 1960, according to meteorological data.
The unusual weather has disrupted the planting season, particularly for apple orchards, a key part of the region’s horticulture economy.
Nursery owners say sales of plant material have dropped significantly this year as farmers remain cautious about planting in dry soil and warmer-than-usual conditions.
“This season our sales have declined by about 25 to 30 percent because farmers are not buying plant material,” said Zahid Bhat, owner of Insaaf Nurseries in the Qaimoh block of Kulgam district, around 60 km south of Srinagar.
Qaimoh is one of the Valley’s largest nursery hubs, home to more than 400 nurseries that supply saplings across Kashmir. A large share of the local population depends on nursery cultivation — mainly apple plants — for their livelihood.
Nursery growers say the abrupt rise in temperature has made planting difficult and disrupted the usual seasonal cycle.
“We have not seen such an abrupt rise in temperatures in many decades. With these changing climatic conditions, plantation has become very difficult,” said another nursery owner in the area.
He said he usually sells most of his stock by the first week of March. “This year nearly 40 percent of my stock remains unsold,” he said.
Plantation season
The plantation season in Kashmir typically begins in mid-February and continues until the second week of March, when farmers plant young saplings to expand or renew their orchards.
Farmers say low soil moisture is another major concern.
Tariq Ahmad Mir, an apple grower from the orchard belt of Shopian, said the dry conditions are discouraging farmers from planting new trees.
“There is very little moisture in the soil. Even if new saplings are planted now, they may not survive because of the high daytime temperatures,” Mir said.
Horticulturists from central and north Kashmir expressed similar concerns, saying the unusual weather has already disrupted plantation activity this season. Many farmers are now waiting for rainfall before deciding whether to plant new trees.
Published on March 5, 2026