Economic of Apple Industry:A Primary Survey in District Shopian Kashmir (India)

Abstract

As a dominant crop of the valley “Apple” proudly represents the fruit industry of Kashmir, representing 98% of the total fruit production. Apple industry is the backbone of the economy of Kashmir valley particular in Shopian district. Due to its good backward and forward linkages it provides employment to about 60% of the population and is the main source of livelihood of many households. But there was no significant increase in the production of this industry during the last few years due to various reasons such as lack of cold storage, large chain of commission agents from the grower to consumers in the Kashmir valley as whole.