The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Monday passed the Demands of Grants for various departments.
The approved grants included Rs. 258369.98 Lakh for Agriculture Production Department, Rs. 122899.58 Lakh for Animal & Sheep Husbandry Department, Rs. 22524.86 Lakh for the Fisheries Department, Rs. 475485.95 Lakh for Rural Development Department, Rs. 70429.33 lakh for Horticulture Department, Rs. 35960.43 lakh for the Election Department, and Rs. 9642.4 Lakh for the Co-operatives Department.
Winding up the discussion on Demands for Grants, Minister for Agriculture Production, RDD, Cooperative and Election, Departments, Javid Ahmad Dar, said that agriculture and allied sectors are indeed the backbone of Jammu & Kashmir's economy, contributing a staggering Rs 37,559 crore, which accounts for 18 percent of the State's Gross Domestic Product (SGDP). The Horticulture sector takes the lead, accounting for a whopping 41 percent of this contribution, reaffirming J&K’s dominance in high value fruit production. He said that the Livestock sector plays a crucial role, contributing 33 percent to the economy, while core agriculture activities make up 25 percent, demonstrating the region’s diverse and resilient agrarian economy.
He said that the government is complementing its ongoing investments in infrastructure with a stronger emphasis on beneficiary-oriented schemes, ensuring that the farmers directly benefit from targeted interventions. One such initiative is the High-Density Plantation (HD) Scheme, which has already brought 836 hectare under high-density orchards, including 174 hectare covered in the current financial year. With Rs 30 crore budget allocation during 2024-25, this initiative is driving higher productivity, increased farmer income and long-term sustainability in the horticulture sector, he added.
The Minister said that the government is also driving transformational growth in the livestock sector through targeted interventions that enhance productivity, employment and income generation for farmers. He said 3,220 dairy units were established in 2024-25 under Integrated Dairy Development Scheme, generating employment for nearly 5,000 people. Similarly, 2,170 units were set up in 2024-25 under the Integrated Sheep Development Scheme.
Jammu and Kashmir's agriculture sector is experiencing a remarkable transformation under the Holistic Agriculture Development Program (HADP), delivering tangible results, said the Minister. He extolled that agriculture in the UT is undergoing a transformative shift, from a focus solely on produce to a producer-centric approach. This evolution is driving higher returns for the farmers, nurturing entrepreneurship and creating a more sustainable and commercially viable agricultural ecosystem, he added.
He said that there are 29 projects under HADP, spanning across all sectors within the Agriculture Production Department (APD), driving a fundamental transformation in Jammu & Kashmir’s agri-economy.
The Minister highlighted significant strides in horticulture, particularly in the expansion of High-Density (HD) Plantations. The government is developing rootstock banks and mother orchards to support growth of HD plantations across 5,500 hectare under Project 21 of HADP. During 2024-25, the government promoted protected cultivation with 9,083 square meters already developed for rootstock production besides establishment of 45 hectares as mother orchards and cultivating 18.6 hectare for rootstock production, he maintained.
He said that assistance will now be disbursed in three phases, 50 percent after plantation, 30 percent upon sprouting and the final 20 percent after one year, if survival reaches 90 percent, to address setbacks in traditional orchards due to reduced farmer engagement post-financial support.
The Minister said that the government is also launching scientific measures to improve livestock breeding besides implementing Embryo Transfer Technology (ETT) and Artificial Insemination (AI) to enhance the genetic potential in cattle, sheep and goats. He said that 191 satellite heifer rearing units had been established in 2024-25 to reduce dependence on animal imports and improve the quality of dairy animals in J&K. Additionally, 19 milk value-addition SHGs were supported with Rs 25 lakh each, equipping 88 SHGs with automatic milk collection units linked to bulk milk coolers.
Regarding the mutton sector, he informed that four breed-based farms (each housing 500 sheep) and 673 commercial sheep farms had been established during 2024–25 said. Besides, the government is importing 900 high quality Texel and Dorper sheep from Australia to enhance the meat production.
The Minister said that 210 trout units, 6 Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) units and 8 biofloc units had been established in 2024-25, to boost fish production, improve livelihoods and promote sustainable aquaculture in J&K. He added that the government is focusing on improving irrigation coverage, promoting climate-resilient cropping and ensuring judicious use of water resources for expanding irrigation infrastructure and enhancing water efficiency in rainfed areas.
He informed that the District Irrigation Plan aims to cover 415,000 hectare of Culturable Command Area (CCA). So far, 191,000 hectare has been covered and efforts are underway to bring an additional 33,000 hectare under irrigation. He said that, to bridge this gap, 18 projects are in progress under UT Capex and 14 new projects worth Rs 48.83 crore have been sanctioned. Also, 20,102 hectare has been brought under irrigation during 2024-25. Over the next three years, an allocation of Rs 116.86 crore will be utilized on establishment of 200 community borewells, integrated with drip and sprinkler irrigation systems to significantly enhance water use efficiency and boost agricultural productivity across 2,000 hectare.
The Minister said that, simultaneously, the Rainfed Area Development (RAD) Project 16 is focused on making rainfed farming more sustainable and climate resilient under HADP. He said that the department through its project on “Promotion of Vegetables and Exotic Vegetables under Open and Hi-Tech Protected Cultivation” is expanding both open-field vegetable cultivation and hi-tech protected farming, ensuring higher yields, better quality and greater market competitiveness.
The Minister revealed that 21 lakh soil health cards have been issued to farmers under the Soil Health Card (SHC) Scheme.
He said that currently there are 37 mandis with 24 fully operational and the remaining 13 in various stages of development. Significantly, out of the 19 wholesale mandis, 17 have already been integrated with the e-NAM platform, while the integration of the remaining two is underway. In 2024-25 alone, 54,975 stakeholders were registered on the platform, including 3,634 growers, 72 traders and 108 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). In 2024-25, a total of 9.44 lakh quintal of agricultural and horticultural produce worth Rs 594 crore, was traded through e-NAM, as compared to 6.55 lakh quintal worth Rs 416 crore in 2023-24, he said.
The Minister said that introduction of the rail network in Kashmir will be a game-changer for the apple growers, significantly reducing freight costs and ensuring better profitability.
“Jammu & Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement Project (JKCIP) is a forward-looking initiative being launched with support from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)” the Minister said.
Javid Dar said that in J&K, there are 10.82 lakh active KCC accounts, 8.49 lakh for crops and 2.33 lakh for animal husbandry. This year alone, 61,316 new KCCs were issued. The total sanctioned limit stands at ₹9,726 crore with an outstanding credit of Rs 7,393 crore. The NPA ratios remain low at 4.7% for crops and 2.1% for animal husbandry, reflecting strong credit discipline. In FY 2025–26, we aim to add 1 lakh new KCCs in the crop sector and 2 lakh in Animal Husbandry, he added.
He said that the Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme is also being implemented to promote small food processors, improve value addition and enhance market access. Based on a One District One Product (ODOP) strategy, it offers a 35% credit-linked subsidy up to ₹10 lakh, and support to SHGs and FPOs. He said upto 2024-25, 1743 applications were cleared by District Committees, with 1,326 sanctioned, 927 disbursed and 1,000 new units targeted for establishment in 2025-26.
In 2024-25, the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) provided insurance coverage to 1.48 lakh farmers during Rabi, covering 60,556 hectare and 60,178 farmers in Kharif with 20,561 hectares insured. To further enhance climate risk coverage, the Restructured Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) is being implemented for the first time in J&K during 2025-26. He said that for the first time, apple, saffron, mango and litchi will be covered under the Restructured Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS), the Minister emphasised.
He said that seven unique agricultural products from J&K have been granted the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) Tag by the Government of India, reinforcing their authenticity, heritage and market value. These included Saffron, Basmati, Baderwah Rajmash, Mushkbudji Rice, Udhampur Kaladi, Ramban Sulai Honey and Ramban Anardana. In continuation, GI tagging for 17 more crops shall be processed during 2025-26.
Javid Dar said that Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) Jammu, Kashmir has made remarkable strides in agricultural research and innovation, securing an impressive 104 patents, creating 162 startups and releasing 174 new crop varieties. These achievements underscored SKUAST’s pioneering role in fostering technological advancements, strengthening the agricultural ecosystem and driving entrepreneurship in J&K, he said.
He said that the government is relentlessly working to transform agricultural sector with a vision to increase its contribution to the State Gross Geographical Product (SGGP) from ₹37,559 crore to ₹1 lakh crore in the next five years with creation of 18000 enterprises, 2.8 lakh employments and 2.5 lakh skilled farmers/ agripreneurs.
“We are accelerating our march towards the target of 5,500 hectares under high-density fruit plantations. For 2025–26, we are making a historic allocation of ₹70 crore—the highest ever which has never been more than Rs 40 crore per year to boost modernization, orchard productivity, improve fruit quality and multiply farmers' incomes”, the Minister informed.
“In a major push to the dairy economy, 4,000 new dairy units will be established across the Union Territory this year, creating employment for over 7,000 youth and further strengthening our milk production and processing infrastructure”, the Minister emphasized.
“Under the Integrated Sheep Development Scheme, we will set up 2,500 new sheep and goat units. Simultaneously, through the Integrated Poultry Development Program, 1,000 new entrepreneurs will receive financial support to establish modern broiler, layer and free-range poultry units along with processing facilities”, the Minister maintained.
“100 more satellite heifer rearing units will be established to ensure availability of superior dairy animals within J&K. Besides, 900 Texel and Dorper sheep shall be imported by June 2025 and 900 high-quality Swiss Alpine and Boer goats shall be imported during the current financial year. About 40 high-quality breeding bulls from the USA and 100 elite Jersey cows will be imported to strengthen our genetic base during this year,” the Minister informed.
“The Government is set to bring 22,933 hectares under assured irrigation during 2025-26. To support this, 18 projects are in progress under UT loan and 14 new projects worth Rs 48.83 crore have been sanctioned. This will bridge critical gaps and make farming more secure and productive,” Javid Dar informed.
“Four new Agri-Mandis will be established in Samba, Reasi, Kishtwar, and Bandipora, supported by a dedicated Market Intelligence Cell and Agri Branding Centers for global positioning of J&K produce. Further, projects for upgrading infrastructure at 5 mega mandis viz Sopore, Shopian, Narwal, Jablipora and Parimpora would be initiated,” the Minister maintained.