Srinagar, April 18 -- In Kashmir valley, where apple orchards have long been a cornerstone of our economy, a quiet revolution is underway. The introduction and adoption of hybrid apple varieties are reshaping the agricultural landscape, offering new hope to farmers who have faced increasing challenges due to climate change, shrinking returns, and stiff competition from other apple-producing states and countries. Traditional Kashmiri apples such as Red Delicious and Ambri have been cherished for decades. However, their longer gestation periods, sensitivity to erratic weather, and limited shelf life have become problematic in recent years. Hybrid varieties-such as Super Chief, Scarlet Spur, Oregon Spur, and Red Velox-are rapidly changing th...