SRINAGAR: Around 300 hectares of traditional apple and walnut orchards in Jammu and Kashmir have been converted into high-density plantations, while 909.13 hectares have been brought under new high-density plantations over the past five years under various Central and Union Territory schemes, the Centre informed Parliament on Friday.
Replying to an unstarred question by Rajya Sabha MP Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Ramnath Thakur said financial assistance for high-density plantations is being provided under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) through new area expansion as well as rejuvenation of old and senile orchards.
The minister said the Jammu and Kashmir government is also implementing the High-Density Plantation (HDP) Scheme, the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) and the Jammu and Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement of Agriculture and Allied Sectors Project (JKCIP) to promote the conversion of traditional orchards into high-density plantations. He, however, noted that separate data on the conversion of traditional walnut orchards is not maintained under MIDH.
The Centre said growers in Jammu and Kashmir are eligible for 50 per cent government subsidy under MIDH and the National Horticulture Board (NHB), while the remaining project cost can be met through self-financing or institutional loans, subject to appraisal by lending institutions. Under the UT’s Modified High Density Plantation Scheme, beneficiaries can avail institutional finance of up to 80 per cent of the project cost, subject to lending norms.
To improve the availability of quality planting material and help growers tackle climate-related challenges, the government said it is supporting the establishment of elite disease-free nurseries, rootstock banks and post-entry quarantine facilities for imported planting material. Financial assistance is also being provided for water harvesting structures, drip irrigation systems, anti-hail nets and mulching to reduce losses from unseasonal dry spells and adverse weather.
