Entrepreneur Who Predicted Kashmir’s Apple Crisis Now Leads Its Revival

A decade ago, a Harvard Business School study highlighted looming structural risks in Kashmir’s apple industry, centered around Khuram Mir’s ambitious venture. The study warned of entrenched inefficiencies threatening the region’s most vital economic sector. Today, those predictions have proven accurate, as Kashmir faces challenges from outdated farming practices, weak infrastructure, and inconsistent quality control.

However, Khuram Mir, the entrepreneur once scrutinized, is now at the forefront of a quiet agricultural revolution in the Valley. Determined to revitalize the apple economy, he is introducing modern farming techniques, including high-density plantations, scientific pruning, and drip irrigation. Mir is also investing in post-harvest infrastructure, such as advanced grading, packaging, and cold storage systems.

His efforts are gradually transforming the industry—improving yields, enhancing fruit quality, and giving Kashmiri apples a competitive edge in national and global markets. Farmers working with Mir are witnessing higher profits and greater market access. What was once seen as a fragile sector is now being reimagined, with innovation replacing inertia.