Why Kashmir’s new rail link matters to the economy behind 95% of India’s cherries

Kashmir grows nearly 95% of India’s cherries. Official horticulture figures put annual production at around 14,000 metric tonnes across roughly 2,800 hectares, with 3,500 to 4,000 tonnes shipped outside the Valley each year. The industry’s turnover stands between ₹130 crore and ₹150 crore annually, with Shopian, Srinagar and Ganderbal among the major producing districts.