“J&K’s major horticultural products possess significant global trade potential. However, India’s presence in global markets for these commodities remains limited, with increasing import dependence and stagnant or declining exports,” it said, in its report released on Wednesday.
As per the Aayog’s roadmap, there will be five sub-missions, dedicated to dry fruits, fresh fruits, vegetables, floriculture and minor crops with each sub-mission built on twelve identified common components but with differentiated priorities, allocations and activities aligned to its respective value chain and regional potential.
It will be implemented in three phases with Phase 1 extending from 2026-30, Phase 2 from 2030-35 and Phase 3 from 2035-47. Short-term (2026-28) and medium-term (2028-30) measures will fall within Phase 1, while long-term
actions (2031 onwards) are implemented through Phases 2 and 3.
“This phased approach provides flexibility to adapt interventions based on emerging priorities, technological advancements and institutional readiness,” it said.
Suggesting product-specific measures, the Aayog said initiatives such as the Indian International Kashmir Saffron Park and dedicated branding campaigns can help secure premium positioning in global markets for saffron.“Strengthening domestic production by increasing area in non-traditional areas with the support of irrigation systems and improved planting material, enhancing quality, and improving market linkages could help boost India’s share in the global saffron trade,” it said.
To boost almond production, the report suggests large-scale introduction of self pollinating varieties which can significantly improve yields; strengthening nursery development and the availability of certified planting material and promoting investment in post harvest management, including processing and storage facilities, to add value and improve marketability.
For walnuts, it proposed large-scale production of quality planting material of improved walnut varieties, particularly under protected structures to ensure high quality yields, harvest management practices to optimise production and quality and grading, packaging, processing, and value addition to improve the overall marketability of domestic walnuts.
As per the report, enhancing apple production in the state requires a combination of import substitution strategies and export promotion efforts to strengthen the domestic apple industry.
This includes enhancing domestic apple production through improved quality and productivity, reducing post-harvest losses by expanding storage and cold-chain infrastructure and establishing modern grading, packaging, processing and CA storage facilities, promoting high-density apple plantations to improve yield and land productivity and strengthening export competitiveness through better varieties, mechanisation of apple orchards, branding and improved market access.
According to the report, over the past four decades, the area under fruit cultivation (fresh and dry) has expanded from 1.31 lakh ha in 1980 to 3.44 lakh ha in 2022, registering a CAGR of 2.33% while production of fruits has increased over fivefold, from 5.6 lakh tonnes in 1980 to 27.22 lakh tonnes in 2022, growing at a CAGR of 3.82%. However, productivity has risen at a slower pace, from 4.3 t/ha in 1980 to 7.91 t/ha in 2022, with a CAGR of only 1.46%.
“This implies that production growth has primarily been driven by an increase in cultivated area rather than productivity improvements,” it said, suggesting that future development must rely on technology-driven improvements in yield, given the limited scope for further area expansion.