Storm Destroys Apple, Cherry Farms Across Shopian Villages

Farmers worldwide are facing significant challenges and transformations in orchard and crop cultivation. In New Mexico, traditional chile farming, exemplified by Matt Romero’s long-standing organic farm, is under economic pressure due to the booming cannabis industry, which surpasses chile in revenue despite both crops sharing agricultural similarities. Meanwhile, in Shopian, devastating hailstorms have caused catastrophic damage to apple and cherry orchards, with farmers reporting losses as high as 90%, shattering hopes for a fruitful harvest. Across the Atlantic in England, orchard acreage has dramatically declined by 90% since the 1950s due to neglect and development, prompting urgent calls for policy support to preserve these vital agricultural and ecological sites. Efforts to conserve orchards like Cambridgeshire’s Coton Orchard demonstrate attempts to safeguard heritage and biodiversity, yet growers continue to face economic and environmental hurdles. These stories highlight the broader global struggle to balance tradition, economic viability, and environmental preservation in orchard farming.