Srinagar, Apr 2: Farhan Bhat, 33, owned 10 kanals of land with six under apple cultivation in Baramulla.
Following a new trend of high-density apple plantations, he too converted his remaining four kanals into a high-density apple farm.
The results were astounding. Therefore, he converted the entire land into high-density apple orchards. “Since then, I have been completely associated with farming. I earn a good living and have included some new varieties also to further enhance my wealth,” he said.
Like Bhat, scores of farmers are preferring horticulture over agriculture in Jammu and Kashmir.
Such is the obsession that Jammu and Kashmir is experiencing a remarkable expansion in horticulture area and production, driven by government initiatives aimed at transforming agricultural practices.
According to official statistics, the region’s horticulture sector has seen an 11 percent increase in cultivated area and a 17 percent rise in production over the past five years.
In 2020, the total area under horticulture production in Jammu and Kashmir stood at 400,000 hectares. This has steadily increased, reaching 437,000 hectares in 2024. The sector has witnessed consistent growth, with the area expanding to 404,000 hectares in 2022 and further to 430,000 hectares in 2023.
Data further reveals that Anantnag emerges as the top district in horticultural land coverage for 2023-24 with 32,156 hectares under horticulture cultivation.
Baramulla follows with 30,398 hectares and Kupwara 29,167 hectares (8.46%), Pulwama 26,463 hectares, Shopian 26,242 hectares, and Kulgam 23,276 hectares. Bandipora has 6,849 hectares (1.99%) of land under horticulture production.
Srinagar has the smallest horticultural area, covering only 3,298 hectares. Samba follows with 5,653 hectares. Other districts with relatively smaller horticultural land areas include Reasi (9,053 hectares, 2.63%) and Kishtwar (9,814 hectares, 2.85%).
Similarly, horticulture production has also seen a substantial boost. In 2020, the total horticulture produce was recorded at 3,891,000 metric tons (MT). Over the years, production fluctuated but maintained an upward trend, reaching 3,582,000 MT in 2021, 4,319,000 MT in 2022, and 4,742,000 MT in 2023. By 2024, the production reached an impressive 4,645,000 MT, marking a 17 percent increase from 2020.
The expansion in horticulture is largely credited to government efforts in introducing high-density and high-quality apple varieties in Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed an overwhelming response to the high-density plantation initiative, with applications covering over 7,000 hectares—far exceeding the initial official target of 1,343 hectares set for the project.
The Department of Horticulture had initially planned to bring 1,343 hectares under high-density plantation in the upcoming financial year. However, the widespread enthusiasm for the initiative has significantly surpassed expectations, indicating a promising future for the region’s horticulture sector.