Srinagar, Jul 8: As this year’s cherry season comes to a close after being hit by adverse weather, the Jammu and Kashmir government is pinning hopes on a Rs125.93-crore project under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) to revive the sector by boosting production, reducing post-harvest losses, expanding exports and increasing growers’ incomes.
The latest season witnessed lower production across several cherry-growing areas due to unfavourable weather conditions. However, reduced arrivals in the market helped growers fetch better prices, partly compensating for the decline in output. Against this backdrop, the government is focusing on long-term interventions to strengthen the sector through the Cherry Cluster Development Project.
The project is being implemented in Ganderbal and Baramulla, two of Jammu and Kashmir’s leading cherry-producing districts, covering around 1,440 hectares of orchards and directly benefiting nearly 4,000 cherry growers.
According to officials, the project seeks to strengthen the entire cherry value chain through interventions in pre-production, cultivation, post-harvest management, processing, logistics, branding, marketing and exports.
The project is being implemented by Chhabeela Greengene Propagation and Chhabeela Energy Foods Pvt. Ltd. through a joint venture at a total cost of Rs 125.93 crore.
To improve orchard productivity, the initiative promotes scientific orchard management, high-density plantations, improved planting material, precision agriculture, organic cultivation and certification under Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). Officials said these interventions are expected to improve both fruit quality and productivity.
The government estimates that the project will generate an additional 4,000 metric tonnes of cherry production through enhanced productivity and better value chain management.
A major focus of the project is the creation of modern post-harvest infrastructure, addressing one of the biggest challenges faced by cherry growers because of the fruit’s short shelf life.
The project includes the establishment of a 5,000-metric-tonne Controlled Atmosphere (CA) storage facility, along with cherry collection centres, grading and sorting units, and processing facilities for Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) cherries, canned products, dehydrated cherries, juices, concentrates, jams and jellies.
Officials said the new infrastructure will reduce post-harvest losses, improve storage and logistics, and enable growers to market their produce over a longer period instead of resorting to distress sales during the peak harvesting season.
The project is supported through a government grant-in-aid of Rs 24.97 crore under HADP, accounting for about 26.3 per cent of the eligible project cost, along with additional back-ended subsidies. The remaining investment will be financed through promoter equity and institutional term loans.
According to official projections, the initiative is expected to increase cherry productivity by 20 to 30 per cent, while farmers’ incomes could rise by 35 to 40 per cent through improved cultivation practices, technology adoption, capacity building and stronger market linkages.
Growers are also expected to realise 20 to 40 per cent higher prices through improved branding, quality certification, better packaging and organised marketing. Exports and market penetration are projected to increase by 30 to 35 per cent.
The project is also expected to generate more than 150 direct jobs in nursery development, production, processing, storage, logistics, packaging, marketing and allied services.
Officials said the initiative aims to establish Ganderbal and Baramulla as major cherry production and processing hubs, improving the competitiveness of Jammu and Kashmir cherries in domestic and international markets while creating sustainable livelihoods for growers and supporting the long-term growth of the horticulture sector.
