JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir Finance Minister Omar Abdullah has outlined a comprehensive strategy to modernise the Union Territory’s agriculture and allied sectors, emphasising the transition from subsistence farming to a commercial agri-economy.
Presenting the budget, he said that the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), with an outlay of Rs 5,013 crore until 2027-28, is at the heart of this transformation. For the financial year 2024-25, Rs 815 crore has been allocated under the programme, aiming to double value addition in agriculture, increase sectoral growth by 11 per cent, create 2.88 lakh jobs, and establish 19,000 enterprises.
To further enhance competitiveness, the government has partnered with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) for the Competitiveness Improvement of Agriculture and Allied Sectors Project (JKCIP). With a $100 million investment from IFAD and Rs 117 crore from the Jammu and Kashmir government, this initiative will support climate-smart farming and benefit around three lakh households. Combined with HADP, these initiatives represent a Rs 6,813 crore investment in the agricultural sector, promising a significant boost to farmer incomes and the region’s economy.
Abdullah said that a key focus of the government is the introduction of a two-crop pattern across all agricultural land to boost productivity and income. Strengthening irrigation facilities, improving market access, and promoting sustainable farming practices are central to these efforts.
Horticulture, a vital contributor to the Union Territory’s economy, is also set for expansion. The government aims to increase the area under horticulture crops to 3.75 lakh hectares and enhance production by 15 to 20 per cent over the next five years. Additionally, the High/Medium Density Plantation initiative will extend over 5,500 hectares by 2026-27, while the Controlled Atmosphere (CA) storage capacity is targeted to reach six lakh metric tonnes by 2029, ensuring better post-harvest management and reduced wastage.
In the dairy sector, the government plans to establish new units to increase milk production, ensuring self-sufficiency and improved livelihoods for dairy farmers. The fisheries sector will also see significant expansion, with a particular focus on increasing trout farming and diversifying into other aquatic species to enhance overall production.
To strengthen financial security for farmers, Abdullah said that the government would continue expanding the Kisan Credit Card scheme and set up 2,000 Agri-Business Centres (Kisan Khidmat Ghars) to provide advisory services and market insights. Further, efforts to enhance farm credit include revitalising 537 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), of which 47 will function as Common Service Centres (CSCs), 96 as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Kendras (PMKSKs), and 20 as Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendras (PMJAKs). Additionally, 450 new cooperative societies and 50 functional Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) will be registered, while new Super Bazars will be established in Kupwara, Bandipora, and Poonch.
Infrastructure improvements are also on the agenda, with plans for new mushroom production units, a Medicinal Plants FPO Park, compost units, and cold storage facilities.
Abdullah highlighted the potential of Jammu and Kashmir’s wool sector, noting that despite producing some of the finest-quality wool, weak market linkages have led to a steep decline in prices—from Rs 100 to less than Rs 30 per kg. With the sector capable of generating Rs 135 crore annually, the Industries Department will introduce advanced wool processing technologies, provide training to entrepreneurs, and frame a policy to attract private and corporate investments in wool processing mills.
The finance minister also said that Jammu and Kashmir has significant potential for establishing a leather tanning industry. At present, around 5,000 to 6,000 pelts produced daily in Kashmir go to waste due to the lack of processing facilities. To harness this opportunity, the government will frame a policy to promote leather tanning industries, ensuring value addition. By processing these skins into pelts and leather, the sector could contribute an additional Rs 100 crore to the economy.
With these initiatives, the government aims to revitalise Jammu and Kashmir’s agriculture and allied sectors, ensuring higher productivity, better market access, and improved farmer incomes.
