The paper has studied the growth of vegetable sector since the inception of Technology Mission and processing of vegetables in relation with food security in the Kashmir valley. The commercialization and diversification in favour of fruits and vegetables has improved their marketed surpluses. Area and production of vegetables have shown a substantial increase under Mini-Mission scheme of Technology Mission. The net availability of vegetables, excluding melons has increased from 198 g/capita/day (2003–04) to 276g/capita/day (2009–10) but it is still less than the ICMR recommendations (300g/capita/day). The low per capita availability of vegetables is largely attributed to huge post-harvest losses. The study has revealed that though additional investment is required for making value-added products such as vegetable pickles and tomato puree, each rupee invested earns higher returns than that received through fresh vegetables. The study has emphasized on the establishment of vegetable processing units, need of institutional support and development of market infrastructure for value addition and food security in Kashmir valley.
