Last Updated on December 9, 2021 at 8:28 pm
The Chief Secretary, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta today chaired a meeting to review the achievements of the Agriculture, Production & Farmers Welfare Department under various centrally sponsored schemes.
Principal Secretary, Agriculture Production & Farmers Welfare Department, Vice-Chancellor, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology along with concerned HoDs participated in the meeting.
It was informed that among all State/UTs, Jammu and Kashmir is the 3rd rank holder in monthly income to agriculture households and 5th best performing UT in Agriculture & Allied Sector.
The Horticulture sector in Jammu and Kashmir employs 27 % of the population and contributes to 8% to the State GDP, besides enormously contributing to carbon sequestration through 7.6 crore trees.
To make fruit growers of J&K the market leader in the country, the Department is implementing the 3-pronged strategy of enhancing yield, storage capacity, and marketing. The Department is encouraging a shift to high-density plantation with a potential of yielding an annual harvest of 50 MT of apple and 5 MT each of Almond and Walnut. Additionally, large-scale production of high-density plantation rootstock is also being promoted through local private entrepreneurs to reduce input costs.
It was informed that to promote horticulture in the Kandi belt of Jammu region, the department has undertaken plantation of Aloe vera and Lemon Grass on a trial basis which is showing promising results. The department has also developed a State of the Art Nursery at Chakrohi to raise high density saplings to meet the root stock requirements.
