Aqzar Raheel
Srinagar, May 16(Knz): The strawberry harvest season has begun in the lush agricultural belts of Gassoo and Dara on the outskirts of Srinagar, with farmers expressing optimism over this year’s crop as Kashmir’s first fruit of the season reaches local markets.
Widely referred to as Kashmir’s “Strawberry Village,” Gassoo has once again come alive with activity in the early morning hours as growers carefully pick ripe strawberries from sprawling fields. The harvest marks the beginning of the Valley’s annual fruit season, which continues with cherries and other summer fruits in the coming weeks.
Strawberries are among the earliest fruits to ripen in Kashmir and are largely cultivated in the fertile areas surrounding Srinagar, particularly in Dara and Gassoo. Farmers say the region’s cool climate, fertile soil, and adequate moisture provide ideal conditions for the fruit’s cultivation.
Holding a basket filled with freshly harvested berries, a local farmer said the crop this year appears healthy and productive.
“This year’s crop looks promising. We wait all year for this. It’s not just a livelihood it’s part of who we are,” he said.
Due to their delicate texture and limited shelf life, strawberries require swift harvesting and transportation to markets. Farmers begin work at dawn to ensure the fruit remains fresh before being supplied to vendors and consumers across Srinagar and other parts of the Valley.
Over the past several years, strawberry cultivation has expanded steadily in Kashmir, driven by increasing consumer demand and improving market returns. Growers in Gassoo said more farmers are turning towards strawberry farming because of its commercial potential and comparatively early harvest cycle.
Locals describe the strawberry fields as one of the Valley’s seasonal attractions, particularly during the early morning hours when workers move through rows of bright red berries under soft sunlight.
“There’s a calm beauty here in the mornings. When the sun hits the fields and the berries glisten it’s something special,” said another resident of Gassoo.
Farmers said alongside strawberries, preparations are now underway for the upcoming cherry season.
Early cherry varieties such as Makhmali and Double are expected to be harvested by the end of May, while the prized Mishri cherries are likely to arrive in markets during the first week of June.
Horticulture experts believe favorable weather conditions this spring could contribute to a good fruit season overall, bringing relief to growers after concerns over unpredictable climatic patterns in recent years.
With baskets steadily filling and market activity picking up, the strawberry harvest in Gassoo and Dara has once again signaled the arrival of Kashmir’s vibrant fruit season.(Knz)
