Which crops are grown in the fertile soil of the Vale of Kashmir?

The Vale of Kashmir features a diverse agricultural landscape supported by its fertile soil and favorable water conditions. The region is renowned for its large orchards, which produce a variety of temperate fruits including apples, pears, peaches, cherries, walnuts, and almonds.1

Additionally, the vale is the exclusive producer of saffron within the Indian subcontinent. Other agricultural activities in the area include:1

• Staple and Summer Crops: Rice is the primary staple crop, while corn, millet, pulses, cotton, and tobacco are also cultivated.1
• Spring Crops: Wheat and barley are grown as the chief spring crops.1
• Vegetables and Flowers: These are grown intensively, particularly along lake margins and in reclaimed marshlands or artificial floating gardens.1
• Specialized Products: The region supports sericulture (silk cultivation), and its lakes and rivers provide fish and water chestnuts.1