Unique Heritage

1 min read
Editorial HEADER 1

The global specialty crops market is expected to witness a CAGR of 3.7 per cent. From a valuation of US$ 1,382.3 billion in 2017, the market is projected to touch a valuation of US$ 1,842.3 billion by the end of 2025. Amid rising global demand for  specialty crops, the Jammu and Kashmir government has approved a project worth Rs 146 crore to promote the niche crops as ‘unique heritage’ of the union territory. We all know that Jammu and Kashmir is home to a diverse range of niche crops including Saffron, Kalazeera, Kashmiri Lal Mirch, Peanut, Anardhana, Bhaderwah Rajmash, Hill Garlic, Mushkbudhji (aromatic rice), Red Rice and Shallot (Pran). The scheme will be implemented in the next five years and involves diversification of niche crops in potential areas and has been proposed on 11100 hectare of land in various districts of the state. Specifically, saffron will be grown on 290 ha in Kupwara, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Bandipora, Kulgam, Shopian, Anantnag, Doda, Ramban, Poonch, Rajouri, Reasi and Udhampur, Kalazeera on 300 ha in Bandipora, Kishtwar and Pulwama, Kashmiri Lal Mirch on 1000 ha’s in Anantnag, Kulgam and Kupwara,  Peanut on 410 ha in Doda, Rajouri, Poonch and Kishtwar, Bhaderwah Rajmash on 6000 ha in Kishtwar, Kathua, Poonch, Rajouri and Doda, Hill Garlic on 2000 ha in Jammu, Samba, Kathua and Udhampur, Mushkbudji on 600 ha’s in Anantnag, Kulgam and Kupwara besides Red Rice on 500 ha in District Anantnag, Baramulla, Kupwara and Budgam districts. These crops are grown on an area of 32,000 hectare, with a total production of 24,000 metric tons making a substantial contribution of Rs. 945 crore to the UT GDP. The new project now aims at diversifying and expanding the area of niche crops over an area of 11,100 hectare thus ensuring livelihood security for 111,000 targeted beneficiaries with a revenue realization of Rs. 2,238 crore. The initiative will focus on increasing production, improving livelihoods and enhancing market accessibility. This will be achieved through establishment of nurseries and seed villages, infrastructure development, and collaboration with various partners and stakeholders, he added. The main components of the project included establishment of 5,226 nurseries/ seed villages, which will generate 7750 job opportunities for unemployed youth working in the niche sector. The project is being jointly undertaken by SKUAST Jammu and Kashmir besides the Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Department, Jammu and Kashmir. The proper implementation of the scheme will have a significant commercial value and potential to be awarded a GI tag, similar to the tag achieved for Kashmir Saffron. The scheme will also encourage more farmers to consider growing niche crops. It is also bound to encourage entrepreneurs to come forward and take benefits of the scheme. Getting GI tags for the niche crops is going to take time but the right start has already been made by the UT government in Jammu and Kashmir.

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