State to supply 1.25 lakh fruit plants to J&K, Ladakh

The Department of Horticulture is set to supply around 1.25 lakh planting materials of temperate fruits, primarily apples, to the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. “This is the first time the two UTs have made such a request. The planting material will be dispatched shortly,” said Vinay Singh, Director of the Department of Horticulture.

Horticulture officials explained the demand was driven by the high quality of the planting material offered by the department. “In addition to its superior quality, the department adheres to all necessary regulations, such as quarantine measures. Buyers can be assured that the plants are safe and comply with all prescribed norms,” Singh added.

Meanwhile, within the state, around 1.65 lakh plants of various temperate fruits — including apple, peach, plum, apricot, almond and persimmon — have been purchased by local growers. The department expects to sell between 4 lakh and 4.5 lakh plants this winter.

While apple planting material remains the highest in demand, there has been a notable increase in interest in persimmon plants. The appealing taste of newer persimmon varieties, along with their high market prices, has drawn the attention of fruit growers. The lower input costs of persimmon cultivation compared to apple farming are driving more growers to switch to persimmon.