Srinagar, July 28 -- Following months of slumber, Sopore fruit mandi is once again abuzz with the sound of vehicles bringing in the season's first apple crop for sale.

In the early hours everyday, pickup trucks, tractors, small vans and horse carts loaded with fruit boxes head towards Mazbough village in Sopore where Asia's second largest mandi is located.

The back to back rainfall in July has given growers a good hope for not only bumper fruit crops but also best quality apples. As per data of meteorological department, Kashmir has received normal to excess rainfall especially in the belts producing quality apples.

The July month is considered a very important time for fruit development, the rainfall has not only given magnificent col...