NITI Aayog’s ‘Roadmap for Horticulture Development in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir @ 2047’ report reveals the exponential growth of Jammu and Kashmir as a “Land of Fruits” between 1980 and 2022 with an increase in fruit production from 5.6 lakh metric tons to 27.22 lakh metric tons over 42 years and an increase in land utilized for growing fruit from 1.31 lakh hectares to 3.44 lakh hectares.
This development provides strong evidence of the potential for Jammu and Kashmir to become a dominant global horticultural hub in future. Furthermore, renewed growth over the last four decades is attributable to both dedicated farmers of the region and favourable agro-climatic conditions of Jammu & Kashmir.
Growing from 1.31 lakh hectares to 3.44 lakh hectares involves more than just the number of hectares; it represents the livelihoods of approximately 3.5 million people whose livelihood depends on this sector.
Jammu & Kashmir’s current level of fruit production at 27.22 lakh metric tons contributes significantly to the Indian economy.
While historical growth in the State has been significant, its emphasis on sustainable and competitive horticulture development into the future is the primary focus of the roadmap.
The strategy focuses on increasing productivity through stronger cold chain structures and post-harvest management rather than solely expanding current areas.
Special mention will be given to improving processing, building brands, creating markets through Geographical Indication (GI) and supporting Farmers Produce organisations (FPOs) and implementing precision agriculture.
This roadmap provides more than just an overview of what we want to accomplish; it describes our aspirations so that Jammu & Kashmir is a leader in horticulture.
Using technology and creating better links to markets will allow us to convert the region’s abundant natural resources into long-lasting success for all producers in the area.
