JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has acknowledged that the Union Territory holds immense potential in the agriculture and horticulture sectors, which together contribute over 78 per cent of the region’s Gross Domestic Product and provide livelihood support to more than 13 lakh families.
In response to a question raised in the legislature, the government outlined a broad array of centrally sponsored and UT-specific schemes currently being implemented to harness this potential. Among these are major national schemes such as Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), Soil Health Card Scheme, and Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana aimed at sustainable and organic farming practices.
Efforts in the agriculture sector also include support for farm mechanisation under the Sub-Mission on Agriculture Mechanisation, promotion of micro-irrigation through the Per Drop More Crop initiative, and expansion of crop insurance coverage through PMFBY. The National Mission on Edible Oils and National Food Security Mission are also being run in the region to boost production and self-reliance in food staples and oilseeds.
On the horticulture front, the government is implementing the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), which supports plantation infrastructure, orchard rejuvenation, and post-harvest facilities. The National Bamboo Mission, National Beekeeping and Honey Mission, and the PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM-FME) scheme have also been rolled out in J&K.
A flagship intervention under the UT’s own Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) includes the promotion of high-density plantations, expansion of cold storage capacity, and establishment of grading lines and mandis. The programme also aims to increase the production of hybrid plant varieties locally to reduce dependence on imports. As of January 2025, 836 hectares have already been brought under high-density plantation against a target of 5,500 hectares.
The Government is also supporting infrastructure for direct market access under NABARD, and 17 mandis in the UT have been integrated with the e-NAM digital platform. Since 2020–21, over 16.8 lakh quintals of produce valued at over Rs 1,040 crore have been traded through the platform.
Highlighting the saffron sector, the government said that under the National Saffron Mission, launched in 2010–11, a total of 2,598 hectares out of the targeted 3,715 hectares have been rejuvenated across Pulwama, Budgam, Srinagar, and Kishtwar. With a project cost of Rs 400.11 crore, the Mission has already utilised Rs 259.67 crore as of date.
The Government also noted that the Jammu and Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement of Agriculture and Allied Sectors Project (JKCIP) is being implemented to enhance climate resilience and competitiveness in farming, particularly through agribusiness ecosystem development and support to vulnerable rural communities.
Through this multi-pronged approach, the administration said it aims to not only promote sustainability and self-reliance in agriculture and horticulture but also raise farmer incomes and ensure long-term economic transformation in rural Jammu and Kashmir.
