GILGIT: The vibrant colours, sweet taste and distinctive aroma of indigenous Suspolo apples took centre stage at the seventh National Suspolo Festival 2026 in Pari Valley, Kharmang district, as the event celebrated the region’s agricultural heritage and the hard work of local farmers.
Organised by the district administration with the support of the Gilgit-Baltistan Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Department, the festival brought together Governor Mehdi Shah, Forests Minister Raja Nasir Ali Khan, residents and domestic and foreign tourists.
Suspolo, a distinctive apple variety grown in Pari Valley, is prized for its juicy sweetness, vibrant colour and strong fragrance. Residents say its aroma can fill an entire room, while the fruit can be preserved until March.
Kharmang Deputy Commissioner Nisar Ahmed Khan said the annual festival had been held during the harvest season for the past seven years to promote the indigenous apple variety, showcase local culture and help farmers secure better markets for their produce.
7th National Suspolo Festival 2026🍎
Pari, Kharmang 📍#reels #suspolo #festival #skardu #gilgitbaltistan https://t.co/tdiNzyVyoB
— Waheed Nabi (@WaheedNabi97076) October 21, 2026
Stalls displaying Suspolo apples, homemade delicacies, traditional foods and locally produced goods attracted visitors. Students added to the celebrations with cultural performances, while women and local entrepreneurs used the event to showcase their products.
However, farmers continue to face challenges in transporting their produce from remote areas. Stallholder Akbar Ali said bringing apples from distant villages remained difficult, particularly where proper road access was lacking.
Growers said improved transport infrastructure, better market access and government incentives could help increase production and create opportunities to export Suspolo apples to international markets.
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Gilgit-Baltistan is home to a wide variety of fruits, thanks to its mountainous terrain, fertile valleys, clean water and favourable climatic conditions.
Besides the indigenous Suspolo apple, the region is known for its apricots, cherries, grapes, mulberries, walnuts and other locally grown produce, much of which is valued for its natural sweetness and distinctive flavour.
These fruits are an important source of income for farming communities and contribute to the region’s agricultural diversity.
However, limited storage facilities, inadequate transport infrastructure and restricted access to larger markets often prevent growers from receiving fair prices.
Investment in modern processing, packaging, cold storage and marketing facilities could help reduce post-harvest losses, increase farmers’ earnings and promote Gilgit-Baltistan’s distinctive fruits in national and international markets.
