Status of horticulture in Jammu and Kashmir: An overview

Horticulture has emerged as an inseparable part of agriculture and it plays a pioneering role in the agricultural development of India. Jammu and Kashmir is having a tremendous scope of horticulture; especially the valley of Kashmir bearing with best agro-climatic conditions suitable for temperate horticulture and Jammu produces tropical fruits. Hence, the valley has become viable for the production of some famous dry and fresh fruits in India and abroad. In the present paper, an attempt has been made to assess the area and production of important horticultural crops and also to find out the spatio- temporal analysis of the horticulture in Jammu and Kashmir. This study is mostly based on secondary sources of data. Diversification of agriculture towards the high-value cash crops is becoming evident in the form of horticultural growth. During the period of 2006-07 and 2015-16, Jammu and Kashmirhave experienced a growth in the area and production of horticulture as18.7per cent and 65.42per cent respectively, while in the same period the export offresh anddry fruits increased by 114.72 per cent and 40per cent respectively. Apple contributes largest share in terms of area as well as production comprising about 66.44 per cent of the area and 86.31 per cent of production among all fruit crops in 2016-17. At every stage, horticulture industry has the vast potential for employment. The horticultural activities engage about3 lakh people in Jammu and Kashmir. Apart from this horticultureindustry isalso encountered with some serious problems.So keeping in view, the fruit industry has a vast potential and further this industry requires some other initiatives with regard to its development in days to come.