SRINAGAR: The horticulture industry in Jammu and Kashmir supports about 35 lakh people across 7.5 lakh families and contributes nearly 8 per cent to the GSDP, the Assembly was informed in a written reply that also set out recent weather losses, relief payments and plans to bring key crops under a weather-based insurance cover.
The details were provided in response to a starred question tabled by Ghulam Mohi-ud-din. The Agriculture Production Department, Jammu and Kashmir, said the sector generates around Rs 10,000 crore in annual income and that one hectare of orchard provides roughly 400 man-days of employment each year.
On recent damage, the department told the House that hailstorms in June 2025 affected orchards in the Shopian district and floods in September 2025 caused losses in parts of the Union territory. Compensation was disbursed under SDRF and NDRF norms. For the September floods, 12.83 hectares were assessed as affected, with Rs 8.12 lakh paid to 201 cases by January 2026. For the hailstorm damage, 589.4 hectares were assessed, and Rs 51.43 lakh was paid to 2,179 growers.
The reply acknowledged that horticulture produce had not been covered under a formal crop insurance mechanism. It said the government has now initiated a restructured Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme for major horticulture crops, including apple and saffron in Kashmir and mango, litchi and saffron in Kishtwar district of Jammu division. Tenders have been invited from empanelled insurers and the process of finalising the lowest bidder is underway.
While relief has been provided after recent events, the Assembly record shows that a structured insurance framework for horticulture is still in the process of being operationalised.
