Early almond blossoming in Pulwama worries growers amid changing climate
Pulwama: The early blooming of almond trees in several parts of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district has triggered concern among fruit growers, who fear that sudden weather changes in the coming weeks could adversely affect the yield.
Almond orchards across Pulwama usually begin to blossom towards the latter part of March, turning the countryside into a picturesque landscape and marking the onset of spring in the valley. However, this year many orchards have already started flowering in the first week of March, nearly two weeks ahead of the usual schedule.
Farmers say the unusually early blossoming is a sign of shifting weather patterns and rising temperatures, which they believe could pose serious risks to the crop if cold spells, rainfall, or snowfall occur during the flowering stage.
“We are happy to see the blossoms, but at the same time we are worried. Almond trees usually bloom later, but this year the flowers appeared much earlier. If there is rain, snowfall, or frost now, the flowers could be damaged and the yield may drop significantly,” said Abdul Rashid, an almond grower from Pulwama.
Another orchard owner, Ghulam Mohammad, said the changing climate is increasingly affecting horticulture in the region. “Over the past few years, we have been witnessing unusual weather patterns. Sometimes winter is dry, sometimes spring arrives early. These sudden changes make it difficult for farmers to predict the crop cycle,” he said.
Pulwama is among the districts where almond cultivation is practiced on a considerable scale, and the crop provides a supplementary source of income to many families. Growers say the flowering stage is crucial, and any adverse weather condition during this period can lead to flower drop and poor fruit setting.
A horticulture expert from the Department of Horticulture said that early blooming is often linked to warmer winter temperatures and reduced snowfall, both of which have been observed in the region in recent years.
“Early flowering can become risky if temperatures drop suddenly or if there is rainfall during the pollination stage. Growers should keep monitoring weather forecasts and adopt preventive measures such as proper orchard management and timely spraying to protect the blossoms from diseases,” the expert said.
He added that climate variability has increasingly started influencing horticulture patterns in Jammu and Kashmir, affecting not only almonds but also other fruit crops.
Agriculture and horticulture experts believe that such changes are becoming more frequent due to shifting climate conditions, making it essential for farmers to adapt their cultivation practices accordingly.
For now, growers in Pulwama remain hopeful that stable weather conditions will prevail in the coming weeks so that the delicate blossoms can successfully develop into fruit.
“We pray that the weather remains normal. Almond farming may not be our main crop like apples, but it still supports many households. A sudden frost or rain at this stage could mean heavy losses,” said another farmer from the district.
