Zahid Manzoor
Horticulture and agriculture are the backbones of Jammu and Kashmir’s economy, even more than Tourism. These sectors sustain the maximum percentage of the population of Jammu and Kashmir in terms of livelihood. However, for decades, these sectors were ignored.
The 2017 Economic Survey in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) mentioned that half of Kashmir’s population is directly or indirectly dependent on the apple industry and over 3.5 lakh hectares of land in the Valley is under apple cultivation. The National Horticulture Board has stated that J&K is the largest apple-producing region of India, catering to 70 percent of the total apple demand in the country.
Due to a lack of cold storage, the apple used to take a hit, as of now, special interest has been shown to improve the cold storage facility.
One such facility, located in the industrial estate Sopore at Doabgah, allows farmers to preserve and store their crops for longer periods of time, allowing them to get better prices for their produce. The facility is a much-needed boost for farmers who have struggled in recent years due to a lack of proper storage facilities.
The facility has a capacity of 2000 metric tonnes and a modern grading and packing line with an average capacity of 5 metric tonnes per hour. Sopore is the apple capital of India.
Vegetable production which is an integral part of Agriculture is witnessed a boom. The ‘Promotion of Vegetables/Exotic Vegetables under Open and Hi-Tech Protected Cultivation’ project is one of 29 approved by the Jammu and Kashmir administration after being recommended by the UT Level Apex Committee for holistic development of Agriculture and Allied Sectors in J-K.
Farmers are witnessing a promising prospect for their produce; they are encouraged to grow exotic vegetables to maximize their monetary benefits.
J-K undergoing a vegetable revolution, expecting over Rs 5000 cr output per year due to constant efforts of the government.
J&K has a unique advantage as compared to the rest of the country in that it can undertake year-round cultivation of vegetables and can grow almost every vegetable crop, including exotic ones which are in high demand and have export potential.
On the other hand, Kashmir’s saffron has also been granted GI tag in the past.
In addition, Bhaderwah Rajmah, Sulai Honey, Kaladi cheese, and Anardana are also at the same stage of bagging the coveted GI tag.
Many agriculture and horticulture products are going to get GI tags, which will boost twin sectors of horticulture and agriculture in Jammu and Kashmir.
