A bumper garlic harvest in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district is bringing renewed optimism to farmers, traders and labourers, with thousands of tonnes of produce being transported to markets across India. As the sector expands, growers say the crop is emerging as an important contributor to the rural economy, generating employment and attracting increasing interest from young entrepreneurs.
According to estimates from traders and industry stakeholders, Kashmir is expected to produce between 20,000 and 22,000 tonnes of garlic in 2026, making it one of the Valley’s most significant horticultural and cash crops. The sector supports thousands of farmers, labourers, transporters and traders, creating livelihood opportunities across several districts, particularly in south Kashmir.
At wholesale collection centres in Kulgam, trucks loaded with freshly harvested garlic continue to leave for different states, including Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Himachal Pradesh. Traders estimate that hundreds of truckloads have already been dispatched from the Kashmir Valley this season, with Kulgam accounting for a major share of the shipments.
Sajjad Ahmad Malik, a trader from Yaripora, said this year’s garlic crop has been exceptionally productive. According to him, his firm alone has dispatched around 70 to 80 truckloads so far, while more produce continues to arrive from farmers. He noted that garlic from Kashmir is in demand not only for its culinary uses but also for its medicinal value.
The growing trade has created seasonal employment for hundreds of labourers involved in harvesting, sorting, grading, packing and transportation. At several collection centres, workers can be seen loading sacks of garlic destined for markets in different parts of the country. Traders estimate that between 500 and 600 truckloads may have already been transported from different parts of the Valley this season.
For many farmers, garlic has become an attractive alternative crop due to its market demand and comparatively stable returns. Traders say cultivation has expanded steadily over the years as more growers shift portions of their land to garlic production.
Zahoor Ahmad Mir, who has been associated with the garlic business since 2009, said the industry has witnessed consistent growth and now supports a large workforce. He said around 100 people are currently employed at his facility and that buyers from multiple states have visited Kashmir to procure the crop.
However, traders and farmers have expressed concerns over competition from imported garlic, particularly from China. They believe that limiting imports during the local marketing season would help domestic producers secure better prices and encourage further investment in the sector.
With production estimated at 20,000–22,000 tonnes and hundreds of truckloads reaching markets across India, growers say Kashmir’s garlic industry is steadily emerging as a success story of agricultural diversification, rural employment and domestic production, reflecting the broader goals of the Make in India initiative.
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