SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has recorded significant economic and social development across multiple sectors, with notable progress in agriculture, tourism, and infrastructure, according to the Economic Survey 2025, which was tabled in the legislative assembly today.
In agriculture, total food crop production increased by 7.12 per cent over the past year, rising from 19,515 thousand quintals to 20,904 thousand quintals. The region has moved towards self-reliance in vegetable production, reaching 520 thousand quintals in 2023-24. The government’s Holistic Agriculture Development Plan has been a key driver of change, with Rs 5,013 crore allocated for 29 projects over five years. This investment is expected to add Rs 28,000 crore to the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) and generate 2.88 lakh sustainable jobs, benefiting 13 lakh families and skilling 2.5 lakh youth through 19,000 new enterprises.
The horticulture sector has also expanded, with the area under major crops increasing by 2,000 hectares, reaching 3.44 lakh hectares in 2024-25. Production has risen by 8.39 per cent in the same period, while the area under high and medium-density plantations has grown from 880.89 hectares in 2020-21 to 18,533.27 hectares by November 2024. Almond and walnut exports have been recorded at Rs 781.29 crore for 2023-24.
Economic activity has been further strengthened by integrating Jammu and Kashmir’s markets with the National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) Portal. Seventeen functional mandis traded fruits and vegetables worth Rs 501.14 crore in 2024-25 (until November), marking a 20 per cent increase from Rs 416.39 crore in 2023-24. The horticulture sector now contributes 6-7 per cent to the GSDP and provides employment to 35 lakh people. Commercial floriculture revenue has surged by 79 per cent, reaching Rs 34.78 crore in 2024-25.
In the dairy sector, 2,176 new dairy units have been established, creating employment for approximately 4,300 people and contributing to a total milk production of 2,081.21 thousand metric tonnes by November 2024. The government aims to reach 3,400 thousand metric tonnes soon. Fish production has also seen significant growth, reaching 19,530 metric tonnes by November 2024, with trout farming playing a crucial role.
The tourism sector has witnessed record growth, with total arrivals reaching 2.36 crore in 2024, including 65,000 foreign tourists. Pilgrimage tourism has also flourished, with 5.12 lakh visitors to the Amarnath shrine and 94.56 lakh to Vaishno Devi. The government is promoting homestays to accommodate the increasing number of visitors and create employment opportunities.
Jammu and Kashmir has also experienced substantial industrial expansion, with 1,984 units commencing operations since 2019. These projects have attracted Rs 9,606.46 crore in investment and generated 63,710 jobs. In the financial year 2024-25, 334 additional units have started operations, providing employment to 8,443 people with an investment of Rs 2,977 crore. The government has received investment proposals worth Rs 1.63 lakh crore as of December 2024, which are expected to create more than 5.9 lakh jobs.
Under the Business Reform Action Plan (BRAP), Jammu and Kashmir achieved 97 per cent compliance, scoring 341 out of 352 points. The Online Single Window System now integrates 185 services, ensuring ease of doing business. Additionally, 15,037 units were established under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), generating employment for 1.2 lakh people in 2023-24. Handicraft exports have more than doubled from Rs 563 crore in 2021-22 to Rs 1,162.29 crore in 2023-24, with exports for 2024-25 (until November) recorded at Rs 207.18 crore. Ten traditional crafts have received Geographical Indication (GI) tags, while eight more are in the process.
In healthcare, Jammu and Kashmir has made significant improvements in key indicators. The Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) has reached a single-digit figure of 9.8, while the Under-5 Mortality Rate (U-5MR) stands at 18.5, achieving global Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets ahead of schedule. The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) has fallen to 16.3, while the sex ratio at birth has improved from 923 to 976. Life expectancy at birth has reached 74.3 years, the highest in India after Kerala and Delhi.
The government has expanded its healthcare infrastructure with two AIIMS, two State Cancer Institutes, and two Bone and Joint Hospitals. Digital initiatives like Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, e-Sanjeevani, and telemedicine services have improved healthcare access. Under the Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY-SEHAT scheme, 100 per cent of families have been registered, and 86.12 lakh Ayushman Golden Cards have been issued, facilitating 15 lakh treatments and saving Rs 2,800 crore for beneficiaries.
Education has also seen progress, with enrolment ratios increasing at all levels and drop-out rates decreasing. Since 2019, 51 new colleges have been added, and 67 institutions have received NAAC accreditation. All degree colleges have adopted a uniform academic session and implemented a four-year undergraduate programme. Jammu and Kashmir has also hosted the Khelo India Winter Games in Gulmarg, with 800 athletes from 20 states and Union Territories participating.
Infrastructure development has been a major focus, with power generation capacity set to double by 2026 through four new hydropower projects (3,014 MW). Transmission and distribution capacity has increased by over 35 per cent in the past four years. Efforts in renewable energy have led to 76 MW of rooftop solar energy installations, with plans to scale up to 270 MW. The road network has expanded, with 99.6 per cent of habitations connected under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), and major highway projects nearing completion.
