SRINAGAR, MARCH 07: The government on Friday disclosed that Jammu and Kashmir has produced approximately 62 LMT of apples over the past three years while implementing a robust system to ensure the availability of quality agricultural inputs for farmers.
Responding to a query from Dr Bashir Ahmad Veeri, MLA Bijbehara, Minister for Agriculture Production stated that apple production in J&K stood at 20.40 LMT in 2022-23, 20.64 LMT in 2023-24, and 20.56 LMT in 2024-25, amounting to a total of around 62 LMT over three years. Addressing concerns about substandard fertilisers and pesticides, the minister assured that the Department of Agriculture has established a stringent monitoring mechanism to regulate the distribution of agricultural inputs, including pesticides, fertilisers, and seeds. “All companies must register their products under the Insecticides Act of 1968, the Fertilizer Control Order of 1985, and the Seed Act of 1966. The Directorate of Enforcement within the Agriculture Department actively monitors quality parameters to curb the sale of substandard products,” he stated.
Highlighting the significance of the horticulture sector in J&K’s economy, the minister noted that it serves as a livelihood for 35 lakh people, involving around 7 lakh families. “In 2021-22, horticulture production stood at 23.41 LMT, with 12.07 LMT exported. The following year, production increased to 27.21 LMT, with exports reaching 17.48 LMT. In 2023-24, output was recorded at 26.43 LMT, with exports at 18.57 LMT. So far, in 2024-25, 26.46 LMT has been produced, with exports amounting to 13.13 LMT,” he said.
On Controlled Atmosphere (CA) storage, the minister said J&K requires an estimated 6.00 LMT, accounting for 30% of annual fruit production. At present, the region has a storage capacity of 2.70 LMT, with an additional 0.37 LMT being added this year, raising the total to 3.07 LMT. Most CA storage facilities are located at the Industrial Growth Centre in Lassipora, Pulwama, and the Industrial Estate in Aglar, Shopian. The government, in collaboration with the Industries and Commerce Department, is working to establish sector-specific industrial estates for horticulture and post-harvest management in other districts. To maximise the horticulture sector’s potential, several initiatives have been launched, including the High-Density Plantation Scheme. “Since its inception in 2016-17, 663 hectares have been covered, and in 2024-25, an additional 173 hectares were brought under high-density plantations, bringing the total to 836 hectares as of January 2025,” the minister stated.
The minister also highlighted advancements in agricultural marketing through the e-NAM (National Agricultural Market) initiative, which has strengthened fruit and vegetable markets across J&K. “Currently, 24 mandis are operational, with 13 more under development. Seventeen mandis are integrated with the e-NAM portal, enabling electronic transactions, with over 50,000 farmers and traders registered on the platform,” he said.