Srinagar, Apr 23: The horticulture sector in Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed significant expansion over the past four decades, with the area under fruit cultivation increasing from 1.31 lakh hectares in 1980 to 3.44 lakh hectares in 2022, while production has risen more than fivefold from 5.6 lakh tonnes to 27.22 lakh tonnes.
These figures, outlined in the government’s NitiAayog’s report on ‘Roadmap for Horticulture Development in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir @ 2047,’ underscore the sector’s growing importance and set the stage for future policy direction to scale up productivity, improve infrastructure, and enhance export competitiveness.
Horticulture has steadily evolved into one of the most critical pillars of J&K’s economy. With an estimated annual turnover of Rs10,000 crore, the sector contributes around 6 to 7 percent to the Gross Domestic Product and provides livelihood support to nearly 35 lakh people, directly or indirectly. This includes orchard owners, farm labourers, transporters, traders, and those engaged in packaging, processing, and export-related activities.
The region’s unique agro-climatic conditions, ranging from temperate zones in Kashmir to sub-tropical belts in Jammu, enable the cultivation of a wide variety of crops.
These include fresh fruits such as apples, cherries, pears, and plums; dry fruits like walnuts and almonds; and high-value products such as saffron, kala zeera, and honey.
This diversity has played a key role in reducing dependency on a single crop, although apples continue to dominate the sector.
According to the roadmap, apple cultivation alone accounts for nearly 50 percent of the total area under fruit crops and contributes more than 77 percent of overall fruit production.
With an average yield of 12.5 tonnes per hectare, apples remain the most commercially significant crop in J&K. Districts like Shopian, Baramulla, and Kupwara have emerged as major apple-producing hubs, with entire local economies built around orchard-based income.
In the dry fruit segment, walnuts hold a dominant position, occupying about 93 percent of the total area under dry fruit cultivation and contributing nearly 12 percent to total fruit production.
Almonds, though smaller in scale, also remain an important crop, particularly in parts of central and south Kashmir.
J&K’s designation as an export zone for apples and walnuts has further strengthened its position in national and international markets.
J&K continues to be the leading producer of apples, cherries, walnuts, and almonds in India, with its produce known for quality and taste.
However, experts point out that despite strong production figures, the sector still faces challenges in terms of value addition, branding, and access to global supply chains.
The roadmap also introduces a scientific approach to crop planning through district-level clustering.
Apples and walnuts have been identified as widely distributed crops with multiple clusters across regions, while crops such as pears, cherries, and mangoes are confined to more specialised and localised belts.
This classification is expected to guide targeted investments in infrastructure, including cold storage facilities, grading units, and efficient transportation networks.
Despite sustained growth, the sector faces structural challenges.
Post-harvest losses remain a concern in several areas due to gaps in storage and logistics.
Market volatility, fluctuating prices, and competition from imports have also affected growers’ incomes in recent years. Additionally, changing weather patterns, including unseasonal rains and temperature variations, pose risks to both yield and quality.
The 2047 roadmap seeks to address these issues by promoting high-density plantations, improving irrigation systems, and encouraging the adoption of modern horticultural practices.
It also emphasises the need for strengthening processing industries, expanding cold chain infrastructure, and enhancing market linkages to ensure better returns for growers.
