Ample opportunities

Horticulture, having ample opportunities for establishment of agro-industries and thereby generating sufficient employment avenues, is emerging as a main focus of administration in Jammu and Kashmir.

The government of India as well as the J & K government is keen to expand the growth of the horticulture sector.

This sector can transform the economy of JK tremendously over the next decade by creating job opportunities, increasing the production to maximum economic growth, ecological development , and poverty alleviation of the JK. An area of 3.33 lakh hectares (2020-21) is under fruit cultivation. A production of 20.35 lakh MTs (2020-21) has been recorded.

The Horticulture area assumes a significant part in J&K and contributes fundamentally to the Economy and is a source of livelihood for 33 lac souls.

Horticulture development is one of the thrust areas and a number of programmes are being implemented, resulting in the generation of higher incomes in the rural areas, thereby improving the quality of life in villages. The variety of Horticultural products of J&K has earned world-wide fame because of its good quality and taste.

Among the various crops, apple and walnut are the major temperate fruit crops accounting for about 75 percent of the total area and 65 per cent of the temperate fruit production, respectively. In India total apple production is approximately about 28 lakh MTs and of which 20 lakh MTs are produced from J&K.