J&K’s fruit cultivation area, output see sharp rise: NITI Aayog

Srinagar, Apr 28: The “Roadmap for Horticulture Development in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir @ 2047” released by NITI Aayog highlights significant growth in the sector, with the area under fruit cultivation expanding from 1.31 lakh hectares in 1980 to 3.44 lakh hectares in 2022, and production rising from 5.6 lakh tonnes to 27.22 lakh tonnes.
Jammu and Kashmir, known as the “Land of Fruits”, benefits from favourable agro-climatic conditions that support a wide range of horticultural crops. The sector provides livelihoods to around 3.5 million people and contributes 6–7% to the UT’s GDP, with an annual turnover of about Rs 10,000 crore, according to the report.
Apple remains the dominant crop, accounting for nearly 50% of the area and over 77% of production, with the highest yield among fruits. Among dry fruits, walnuts lead, covering about 93% of the area and contributing around 12% to total production.
Jammu and Kashmir has been designated as an export zone for apple and walnut crops and is a leading producer of apples, cherries, walnuts, and almonds in India. The region is also known for high-quality honey, kala zeera, and saffron.
District-wise mapping of horticulture crops shows apples and walnuts as dominant, widely spread clusters, while pear, cherry, and mango are more localised and specialised.
A comparative assessment highlights the UT’s strong national position in apples, walnuts, and almonds, with a major share in area and production and top rankings in yield, making these key strengths of the sector.
Per capita consumption of fresh and dry fruits has increased notably between 2011–12 and 2023–24, especially in rural areas. Apple consumption grew faster in rural regions, while dry fruits saw steady demand due to wider availability and usage.
Marketing infrastructure has also improved, with 5 terminal mandis and 14 satellite mandis operational across districts, along with 5 Apni Mandis enhancing market access for local growers.
The report notes that horticulture in Jammu and Kashmir holds significant importance, contributing around 76% of India’s apple production and nearly 96% of the country’s walnut output. It is also the producer of GI-tagged Kashmiri saffron, underscoring its national prominence. (KNO)