Srinagar, July 6 -- Farmers in Kashmir are harvesting a bumper apricot crop this season.

The introduction of new varieties, including Irani, Afghani, and Harcot apricots, has boosted demand and led to an increase in the number of consumers, giving farmers high hopes for strong returns this season.

In addition to apricots, farmers are also expecting a good harvest of several other fruits, such as cherries, strawberries, mulberries, plums, apples, and pears, in Srinagar's Zakura Valley.

"The weather plays a very important role in the harvesting of the crop, and this year we have been very lucky. There are a lot of varieties in this fruit, and with that, the number of consumers has also increased," said Mohammad Altaf, a local farmer.

"W...