Page 28 - Atlas of Horticulture

GLIMPSE OF HORTICULTURE SECTOR

Horticulture is increasingly recognised as a sunrise sector, owing to its

potential to raise farmers’ income, provide livehood security and earn foreign

exchange through export.

Horticulture development is one of the thrust area and a number of

programmes have been implemented in the past, resulting in the generation of

higher income in the rural areas thereby improving the quality of life.

The growth of Horticulture sector can be attributed to various initiatives

taken by Government of India (GOI) and Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir

like Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture, Prime Minister’s

Development Package, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, etc. Under these

schemes, due attention is being paid towards establishment of High Density
Orchards, better Post-Harvest Management by creating Controlled Atmospheric

Storage Facilities in addition to establishment of Fruit Processing Units,
technological support and awareness programmes.

The Jammu Division offers good scope for cultivation of horticultural crops,

covering a variety of temperate fruits like Apple, Pear, Walnut, Peach, Plum,

Apricot, Kiwi and sub-tropical fruits like Mango, Guava, Citrus, Litchi, Phalsa, Ber

etc. Besides medicinal and aromatic plants, flowering plants, mushroom, etc. are

also cultivated.

In Jammu Division, Horticulture is the major economic activity which is due

to its physical and geographical status shaped by the nature. Due to the hilly

terrain topography possessed with rain-fed condition, the agriculture is less

economic but cultivation of fruit crops can prove more profitable.

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