Srinagar, Sep 26: Jammu and Kashmir’s Horticulture Department has brought 1,103.79 hectares under high-density apple plantations in the Kashmir Division since the inception of the scheme, benefiting approximately 4,428 farmers, even as the Union Territory is pursuing a broader shift towards modernisation, diversification and value addition in horticulture.
The figures were disclosed by the government in a written reply to a Starred Question by MLA Javaid Riyaz regarding the introduction of high-yielding and high-density apple varieties in Kashmir.
The department said it has been promoting high-yielding and high-density varieties under various government programmes to modernise the traditional apple production system, enhance productivity per unit area, improve fruit quality and uniformity, optimise available land and increase economic returns for farmers and orchardists.
The major varieties and strains being promoted include Gala, Red Delicious and Granny Smith (Green Apple).
“Gala strains are being promoted for their attractive fruit colour, desirable eating quality, relatively early bearing and suitability for adoption under high-density orchard systems,” the department said.
It said Red Delicious continued to have significant commercial importance because of its distinctive red colour, good fruit quality and established market demand.
“Granny Smith (Green Apple) is also being promoted owing to its suitability for high-density production systems, potential to enhance productivity and favourable fruit quality characteristics,” the government said.
/fit-in/580x348/filters:format(webp)/greater-kashmir/media/media_files/2026/09/27/hor-2026-09-27-06-35-44.jpg "1,103 hectares under high-density apple plantations in Kashmir, 4,428 farmers covered 2")
The department said the scheme was also aimed at varietal diversification and reducing farmers’ dependence on a single variety.
“Approximately 90% of the area under high-density apple plantation comprises Gala and Red Delicious strains,” the reply states, adding that the remaining area is covered by varieties and strains including Golden Delicious, Fuji, Granny Smith and suitable pollinizer varieties.
The move towards high-density plantations comes as horticulture remains one of J&K’s major agricultural sectors. Recent Assembly data shows that overall fruit production increased from 20.06 lakh metric tonnes in 2018-19 to 26.92 lakh MT in 2024-25.
Apple production alone rose from 20.40 lakh MT in 2022-23 to 21.10 lakh MT in 2024-25. However, the volume of apples shipped outside J&K declined from 18.14 lakh MT in 2022-23 to 13.34 lakh MT in 2024-25, according to figures presented before the Assembly.
The figures point to a growing focus on improving not only orchard productivity but also post-harvest handling, processing and market access.
A recently released NITI Aayog roadmap for horticulture in J&K has proposed a long-term transformation of the sector through “Operation Golden Greens”, divided into three phases covering 2026-30, 2030-35 and 2035-47.
The roadmap identifies five sub-missions covering dry fruits, fresh fruits, vegetables, floriculture and minor crops. It proposes greater adoption of modern technology, improved planting material, high-density cultivation, processing, branding, cold-chain infrastructure, market linkages and climate-resilient practices.
NITI Aayog has set an indicative target of increasing the horticulture economy from around ₹10,000 crore in 2024-25 to ₹60,000 crore by 2047. It also envisages raising productivity from 7.64 tonnes per hectare to 25 tonnes per hectare, increasing processing capacity from 2 percent to 25 percent and reducing post-harvest losses from an estimated 20-30 percent to 2 percent.
The roadmap also calls for more than 100 small-scale minimal processing units across key clusters and industry-scale horticulture processing units in high-potential districts, alongside continued development of brands for products such as apple, saffron, walnut and cherry.
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