Women lead Kupwara’s walnut revolution

Empowering women in Kashmir’s walnut district

In 2024, Kupwara achieved a remarkable milestone in walnut production, becoming India's largest producer with an output of 30,894 tonnes. Despite this success, local farmers face significant challenges, including inadequate marketing channels that force them to sell their walnuts on the streets, impacting their profits. To address these issues, TYCIA has initiated a production unit to develop walnut-based products, promoting economic growth and empowering women in the community.

Kupwara in Kashmir has achieved a notable milestone in walnut production, with an output of 30,894 tonnes in 2024, making it the largest walnut producer in India. It cultivates three main varieties, namely Wonth, Kagazi and Barzul. However, the absence of proper marketing channels has compelled local farmers to sell their walnuts on the streets, impacting their profits. To help farmers get a fair price for their crop, In response to this challenge, TYCIA a civil society organisation has set up a production unit in Kupwara to create walnut-based products, with the goal of enhancing economic development and empowering women in the community.

Kupwara, located in the northernmost part of the Kashmir valley, is famous for its large-scale walnut cultivation. Situated about 87 km from Srinagar, the district is bordered by Ladakh to the north and Baramulla to the south and east. Known as the ‘walnut district’ of Jammu & Kashmir, Kupwara plays a key role in the region’s walnut production, which is integral to both the local economy and the livelihood of its farmersIn 2024, Kupwara achieved a remarkable milestone in walnut production, becoming India’s largest producer with an output of 30,894 tonnes. Despite this success, local farmers face significant challenges, including inadequate marketing channels that force them to sell their walnuts on the streets, impacting their profits. To address these issues, TYCIA has initiated a production unit to develop walnut-based products, promoting economic growth and empowering women in the community walnut.

With an its elevation ranging between 1500-2500 m above sea level, Kupwara’s climate is particularly conducive to walnut cultivation, making it the largest walnut-growing area in the region. The district’s natural conditions have led to high-quality walnut production, with farmers relying on both traditional and innovative methods to propagate walnut trees. This includes seed and grafting techniques, which have been passed down through generations. The government has also taken steps to protect these valuable trees through legislation that acknowledges their significance to the local environment and economy.

Kupwara primarily produces three distinct varieties of walnuts. The first is Wonth, which is known for its thick outer shell and small kernels, primarily used for oil extraction. The second variety, Kagazi, has a thin outer shell and larger kernels, which are easier to crack. Finally, Barzul is regarded as the finest variety, recognised both nationally and internationally for its superior quality.

According to data from the district’s official website, Kupwara achieved a record production of 30,894 tonnes of walnuts in 2024, making it the highest walnut-producing district in the region. The district’s walnut farms span over 8,820 hectares of land, highlighting the immense scale of production. One of the most remarkable aspects of walnut farming in9 Kupwara is that it requires minimal external inputs as walnut trees do not need pesticides or extensive fertilisers, with the farmers using organic fertilisers made from kitchen waste. This makes the walnuts produced here second only to Nadru in terms of organic in the region.

Despite these impressive figures, walnut farmers in Kupwara face significant challenges. The district lacks a proper marketing infrastructure, such as a dedicated market for walnuts, which has led to the farmers selling their walnuts on roadside, often in the form of raw kernels. The price for A-grade kernels ranges from INR 750 to INR 1,200 per kg. While the district produces an abundance of walnuts, the lack of a formalised space for selling the product has severely impacted the profitability and sustainability of the walnut industry.

Zubair Ahmad Bhat, 25, a multimedia and mass communication graduate, is one of the many young people in Kupwara who is involved in walnut farming. Bhat is helping his father run their walnut business in Nutnusa, a village in Kupwara. He says the absence of a proper marketing channel is hurting the farmers.

“We are facing real anxiety. Without any proper marketing points for our product, we are forced to sell our walnuts on the streets, which greatly diminishes our interest in the business. Another major issue for the walnut industry in Kupwara is the lack of proper processing units. There are two processing units in the district, but their performance leaves much to be desired. The machines used to clean the walnut shells do not effectively separate the shell from the fruit, often damaging the delicate kernels in the process. This hampers the quality of the final product and affects the marketability of the walnuts,” Bhat tells Media India Group.

Helping hand around the corner

However, now the walnut industry in Kupwara is set to benefit from the efforts of the Delhi-based civil society organisation, Turn Your Concern Into Action (TYCIA). Recognising the district’s potential, TYCIA has launched ‘ the Jazba Project’, which aims to establish 170 business setups across North Kashmir. In collaboration with the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and the Ananya Birla Foundation, this initiative focuses on empowering local women by providing training to help them create their own units that process and add value to the region’s walnut harvest.

The TYCIA production unit in Kupwara is empowering local women by training them to create innovative walnut-based products, including walnut chutney, choco walnut rocks, and choco walnut dates. This initiative not only enhances the economic independence of these women but also boosts the local economy by creating job opportunities and promoting the use of locally sourced walnuts.

Pir Azhar, Manager of TYCIA, emphasised that the project aims to break traditional barriers and foster a culture of entrepreneurship among women. With plans for further expansion and product diversification, the TYCIA production unit is set to become a key player in the local economy, paving the way for a brighter future for the women and families of Kupwara.

Pakeeza Nazir Para, a skilled patisserie chef from Ganderbal, Kashmir, is leading the effort to train women the art of walnut-based product production. With a diploma in bakery and extensive experience both in Punjab and Kashmir, Para now trains about 10 women at this unit.

“I joined as a trainer to help women become independent and share responsibilities with their partners in today’s competitive world. There is need of empowering women through skill development courses so they can contribute meaningfully to their households and communities. While this training process typically takes about two months for beginners to master the basics, the duration can vary significantly based on each trainee’s aptitude and ability to learn. Every individual has a unique learning pace and the goal is to provide tailored support to ensure that each woman feels confident in her skills. This initiative is not just about training but about building a supportive community. We are dedicated to fostering an environment where women can thrive and achieve their personal and professional goals,” Para tells Media India Group.

Farhat Manzoor Peer, a 25-year-old resident of Kupwara, had set her eyes on becoming a government official and had dedicated herself to preparing for the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) exams. However, despite her relentless efforts, she could not succeed, leaving her disheartened.

Determined not to let disappointment define her, Peer sought new opportunities. One evening, while scrolling through social media, she discovered an initiative aimed at empowering young entrepreneurs by providing practical skills and training. This sparked a flicker of hope within her.

With renewed determination, Peer enrolled in the programme. Surrounded by like-minded individuals, she felt a sense of belonging and purpose. As the weeks passed, she immersed herself in learning about product development and marketing strategies. Inspired by the abundant walnuts in her region, she decided to create unique walnut-based products in future .

“After months of hard work, I mastered two products: rich walnut rock and a delicious walnut choco. The sense of accomplishment is overwhelming. I transformed my initial disappointment into a stepping stone toward my dreams,” Peer, tells Media India Group.

Shabnum Fayaz, a bright and optimistic 20-year-old from Kupwara, says her her heart is filled with hope about  the programme she had recently joined. With a radiant smile, she calls it “a golden egg in the nest.” This initiative had opened up a world of possibilities for her and many others, offering them the chance to learn valuable skills while also earning an income, an experience that had truly uplifted their lives and filled them with newfound confidence for the future.

Fayaz, often found herself grappling with uncertainty about her future. Like many of her friends, she had dreams that sparkled in her mind, but she did not know how to turn them into reality. When she learned about the programme aimed at helping young people acquire practical skills and launch their own businesses, a surge of excitement filled her. This was the opportunity she had been waiting for, and she eagerly embraced the challenge ahead.

As she dove into the training, Fayaz discovered a passion for creating handmade products. “The instructor is supportive and knowledgeable, guiding us through everything from product development to marketing. With each new skill I learned, my confidence grew. I realised that I could shape my future,” Fayaz tells Media India Group.

One of the most exciting parts of the programme was learning how to use social media to promote products. Fayaz quickly saw how platforms like Instagram and Facebook could help them reach more customers.

“It has been amazing ,”  Thanks to social media, we could connect with people far beyond our local area, and soon, demand for our products began to rise, especially from places like Haryana and Delhi,” she says, her eyes shining with enthusiasm.

As the business unit started to take off, Fayaz felt a sense of pride she had never known before. She is not just making money; she is building something of her own and discovering her identity as an entrepreneur. The programme had given her not only skills but also a sense of independence and self-worth.

This programme has truly changed my life,” says, with conviction. “It has not only transformed me but also inspired my peers. We are all on a journey of growth, learning to believe in ourselves and our abilities,” Fayaz, tells Media India Group.

The Jazba Project is transforming the lives of walnut farmers and women in Kupwara, by providing essential training and resources for walnut processing and entrepreneurship and challenging traditional gender roles. As they gain skills and confidence, these women not only improve their livelihoods but also uplift their communities, fostering collaboration and support among participants.