In one of the worst agricultural disasters in recent South Asian history, **Kashmir’s vital apple harvest is rotting in orchards and on roadsides** after a massive landslide—triggered by record monsoon rains—blocked the region’s only major highway for over two weeks. The disruption has stranded millions of pounds of perishable fruit, devastated local livelihoods, and exposed the fragility of supply chains in climate-vulnerable mountain regions .
Kashmir produces **over 70% of India’s apples**, contributing roughly **10% to the local economy** and supporting **7 million people**—from pickers and packers to truckers and traders. But without refrigerated transport and with a narrow, landslide-prone mountain road as the sole export route, the entire system collapsed when the highway near Pulwama was buried under debris in late August 2025 .
The Anatomy of a Supply Chain Collapse
Timeline of the Crisis
- Early August 2025: Unusually heavy monsoon rains begin across Jammu and Kashmir.
- Late August: A major landslide buries 300 meters of NH-44—the lifeline highway connecting Kashmir to India.
- Aug. 25–Sept. 17: Road closed to heavy trucks; apples pile up in orchards and on stranded trucks.
- Sept. 11: Emergency rail service launched—but capacity meets only **3%** of daily demand.
- Sept. 25: Farmers report **80% crop loss**; many face debt and food insecurity.
Why This Matters Beyond India
While the crisis is localized, it offers urgent lessons for North American readers:
- 🌍 Climate vulnerability: Extreme weather is disrupting food systems globally—from California floods to Canadian wildfires.
- 🚚 Supply chain fragility: Single-point infrastructure failures can cascade into economic disasters.
- 📉 Agricultural risk: Smallholder farmers worldwide lack insurance, cold storage, or alternative routes.
Kashmir’s Apple Economy at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Impact of Landslide |
|---|---|---|
| Annual apple production | 2+ million tons | ~80% lost or unsold |
| Share of India’s apples | 70%+ | National shortages expected |
| People dependent on trade | 7 million | Widespread income loss |
| Average delivery window | 2–3 days (unrefrigerated) | Highway closure = total spoilage |
Farmers’ Desperation and Resilience
For farmers like **Mohammed Ashraf** of Pulwama, the landslide erased a year of labor. He expected to earn **$4,600** from his one-acre orchard—enough to repay a $600 loan for fertilizer and labor. Now, his apples lie rotting on the ground, and he faces deeper debt .
“Where do I send them after harvesting?” Ashraf asked. “I am a farmer. What other option do I have?”
Truckers are equally devastated. **Shabir Ahmed Mir** abandoned one load after being stuck for **six days**. He wasn’t paid—and lost two weeks of income .
Government Response: Too Little, Too Late?
Authorities laid temporary boulder paths over the landslide zone, but recurring rains keep washing them out. A new rail cargo service launched on September 11 can move only **50 truckloads per day**—versus the usual **1,500** .
Experts say the region needs **permanent climate-resilient infrastructure**, including:
- ❄️ Cold storage hubs in Srinagar and Anantnag
- 🚆 Expanded rail freight capacity
- 🛣️ Alternate mountain corridors with landslide barriers
- 📱 Real-time weather and road monitoring systems
For more on global food supply chain vulnerabilities, see our feature on [INTERNAL_LINK:climate and agriculture].
For verified data on agricultural economics in South Asia, visit the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) – Asia Regional Office.
