Govt focusing on cultivation of exotic vegetable in Udhampur: Agri Minister
Minister for Agriculture Production, Javed Ahmad Dar, today informed the House that the Government is focusing to enhance area expansion under niche crops (Hill Garlic) and promotion of traditional and exotic vegetables across the Udhampur district under CAPEX Budget and HADP 2024-25.
The Minister was replying to a question raised by BJP legislator Balwant Singh Mankotia in the Legislative Assembly.
The Minister said that the blocks of Sewna and Latti have been prioritised under the CSS scheme—National Mission on Natural Farming—during the FY 2025-26, while promotion of hill garlic, maize, medicinal aromatic plants and pulses and vegetables under project JKCIP in Chenani and Latti blocks is under due consideration for the 2025-26 fiscal.
The Minister added that area expansion by plantation of high density plants of apple, walnut, pear and kiwi have been planned in due course of time in these areas to enhance farmers income. Besides, irrigation infrastructure, such as check dams, water storage tanks, water harvesting tanks and potable geotags, is being planned under HADP and CSS during 2025-26.
He informed that the rejuvenation of old senile orchards are being planned to be converted into high-density orchards of Elite Cultivars in due course of time.
The Minister said that about 20,031 beneficiaries have been covered under different agricultural schemes across Chenani constituency of Udhampur district. He said that all agriculture schemes, including Centrally-sponsored schemes, Capex and HADP projects are being implemented by the Agriculture Department across the district.
The Minister further informed that 18,515 farmers have been covered under PMKISAN and majority of them are linked with KCC for further financial inclusivity in Chenani. He said that the Horticulture department is implementing various schemes for handholding and support of farmers under UT Capex, HADP and CSSs, MIDH and PMFME schemes.
