Srinagar, Aug 4: The Centre has said that high-density apple plantations are being actively promoted across Jammu and Kashmir under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) and the Jammu and Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement Project (JKCIP) to boost horticultural productivity, improve fruit quality and enhance farmers' income.

According to official information, the two flagship programmes are supporting the large-scale adoption of high-density orchards by providing quality planting material, modern cultivation practices, technical guidance and financial assistance to fruit growers across the Union Territory.
The Centre said the initiative is aimed at replacing traditional orchards with scientifically managed high-density plantations that offer higher productivity, earlier fruiting and better returns to farmers. The programme also promotes the use of improved irrigation systems, canopy management, disease control and modern orchard management techniques.
Officials said the high-density plantation model is expected to significantly increase apple production while improving fruit quality and competitiveness in domestic as well as international markets. Farmers are also being encouraged to adopt climate-resilient horticulture practices to address the challenges posed by changing weather patterns.
Under HADP, the government is focusing on transforming the horticulture sector through technology-driven interventions, value addition, post-harvest infrastructure and market linkages. The JKCIP, meanwhile, is supporting farmers by strengthening production systems, improving access to quality inputs and enhancing supply chain efficiency.
The Centre maintained that the promotion of high-density apple cultivation forms a key component of its strategy to modernise Jammu and Kashmir's horticulture sector, which remains the backbone of the region's rural economy and provides livelihood to lakhs of farming families.
Officials expressed confidence that the continued expansion of high-density orchards will improve productivity, generate higher incomes for growers and strengthen Jammu and Kashmir's position as one of India's leading apple-producing regions.