J&K horticulture contributes to over 8% of GDP

The horticulture sector in Jammu and Kashmir contributes to over 8 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the government has recognized the sector as a thrust area. The government emphasises on mechanisation, import of high-quality saplings and increase high-density plantation area through various projects.

Srinagar: In order to boost the horticulture sector, the backbone of Jammu and Kashmir economy, the government has put forth various schemes including the provision of two lakh high yielding plants, 404 vermicompost plants, twenty controlled atmosphere storage projects. The horticulture sector contributes over 8 per cent towards Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employment generation.

Official data revealed that 700,000 farming families amounting to 35 lakh population are directly and indirectly associated with this sector. To give further impetus to the horticulture sector, the Jammu and Kashmir government has taken several steps in terms of providing high-yielding plants and executing several other schemes.

Around 2 lakh high-quality plants have been produced in public sector nurseries and distributed among the farmers. Besides, three hi-tech walnut nurseries at Zawoora, Srinagar, Brakpora, Anantnag, Kupwara and Chandigam were established and about 20,000 walnut seedlings are being produced annually for further propagation in controlled conditions.

In order to complement the above-established nurseries, one almond/stone fruit nursery is being set up in southern Shopian district which would eventually produce about two lakh fruit plants annually. In addition to this, the Horticulture Department has established the Centre of Excellence at Zawoora Srinagar which would serve as a demonstration and training centre, besides providing germ plasma and clinical facility to the growers. So far 20 Controlled Atmosphere (CA) Storage Projects with 1.40 lakh metric tons of storage facility and 30 food processing projects have been created for fresh fruit retention.

The government has already declared horticulture a thrust area and has taken a number of steps like import of three lakh apple clonal rootstocks for multiplication and production of high-quality saplings. The import is likely to generate about 12 lakh root stock after two years.

Till now, about 5000 kanals of land has been converted into the high-density plantation, besides an area of about 48,000 kanals converted into medium density plantations during the last two years.

As part of mechanising farm sector and ensuring efficient use of energy, 404 vermicompost units have been set up for farmers in Kashmir division along with 342 farm handling units, 176 borewells, 9692 pieces of machinery including motor power sprayers, tillers, tractors, weeders, tools/implements.

Under backyard horticulture, 4 lakh different kinds of fruit plants at 90% subsidy were provided to the inhabitants of Kashmir division. The department also organized buyer seller-cum-garden fresh fruit fair similar to Sunday market for the direct benefit of growers.

Also, to facilitate fruit growers, Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha launched Market Intervention (MIS-2020) Scheme for procurement of Apple October 28, 2020. To give a fillip to the sector, the department has formulated a strategy to produce four crore fruit plants for covering an area of 10,000 hectares under super high density plantation and about 2 lakh exotic scion wood sticks are being made available to the nursery growers for the propagation of elite planting material.

The Department of Horticulture is providing about 50% assistance for the establishment of food preservation units, CA storage units with the collaboration of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS), Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MOFPI) and Union Territory Government.