J&K’s niche crops: From Rs 945 cr current income target set to Rs 2,238 cr

29 January 2023

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Srinagar, Jan 29: Jammu and Kashmir is home to a diverse range of niche crops, including saffron, Kalazeera, Kashmiri Lal Mirch, pecanut, Anardhana, Baderwah Rajmash, Hill Garlic, Mushkbudhji (aromatic rice), Red Rice, and Shallot (Pran). These crops are grown on an area of 32,000 hectares, with a total production of 24,000 metric tons. They contribute Rs. 945 crores to the UT GDP.

Recognizing the potential of these crops, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir has approved a project on the Promotion of Niche Crops, with an outlay of Rs. 146 crores to be implemented over the next five years.

The project aims to diversify and expand the area of niche crops over an area of 11,100 hectares, ensuring livelihood security for 111,000 target beneficiaries with a revenue realization of Rs 2,238 crores.

The project also includes the establishment of 5,226 nurseries/seed villages, which will generate 7750 job opportunities for unemployed youth working in the niche sector. Additionally, the project includes the establishment of one Mini Spice Park, two Modern Rice Mills, and eleven grading and processing units in target clusters, which will be linked with available NABL laboratories/e-trading centers of UT. This will facilitate quality promotion and value addition, leading to profitable accessibility to the market.

To promote these niche crops at the export level, the project shall also undertake tagging of identified niche crops, for which descriptors will be developed for their uniqueness. Additionally, the project includes human resource development for capacity building and employment generation. The project is being jointly undertaken by SKUAST-Kashmir, SKUAST-Jammu, and the Agriculture & Farmer Welfare Department, Jammu and Kashmir.
“Promotion of Niche Crops” is one among the 29 projects, which were approved by the Jammu and Kashmir administration after being recommended by the UT Level Apex Committee for holistic development of Agriculture and Allied Sectors in UT of J&K. The prestigious committee is headed by Dr Mangala Rai, Former DG ICAR and has other luminaries in the field of Agriculture, Planning, Statistics & Administration like Shri Ashok Dalwai, CEO NRAA, Dr. P. K Joshi, Secretary, NAAS, Dr. Prabhat Kumar, Horticulture Commissioner MOA & FW, Dr. H. S Gupta, Former Director, IARI, Sh. Atal Dulloo IAS, Financial Commissioner (Addl Chief Secretary) APD apart from the Vice Chancellors of the twin Agriculture Universities of the UT.

“There is a long history of cultivating these niche crops in J&K, particularly in heritage sites such as Pampore, Gurez, Padder, Kishtwar, Baderwah, Bandipora, Sagam, Tangdar, Ramban, and Poonch.” said Sh. Atal Dulloo IAS, Financial Commissioner (Addl Chief Secretary) Agriculture Production Department. He further added that these crops, which include spices, aromatic crops, and underutilized horticultural crops, have a significant commercial value and have the potential to be awarded a GI tag, similar to the tag achieved for Kashmir Saffron.

Currently, spice niche crops are cultivated on 5525 hectares, with a total production of 10163 metric tons. Similarly, aromatic crops are cultivated on 250 hectares, with a total production of 750 metric tons. However, heritage underutilized horticultural crops are scattered, with a very low area of 547 hectares, and a production of 81 metric tons. The existing production scenario suggests a great scope for enhancing production to bridge the prevailing market deficit.

Diversification of niche crops in potential areas has been proposed on 11100 ha’s of land in various districts of the state. Specifically, saffron will be grown on 290 ha in District Kupwara, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Bandipora, Kulgam, Shopian, Anantnag, Doda, Ramban, Poonch, Rajouri, Reasi and Udhampur, Kalazeera on 300 ha in District Bandipora, Kishtwar, and Pulwama, Kashmiri Lal Mirch on 1000 ha’s in District Anantnag, Kulgam, and Kupwara, Peacnut on 410 ha in District Doda, Rajouri, Poonch and Kishtwar, Baderwah Rajmash on 6000 ha in District Kishtwar, Kathua, Poonch, Rajouri, and Doda, Hill Garlic on 2000 ha in district Jammu, Samba, Kathua, and Udhampur, Mushkbudji on 600 ha’s in District Anantnag, Kulgam, and Kupwara and Red Rice on 500 ha in District Anantnag, Baramulla, Kupwara and Budgam.

To meet the emerging market demand for niche crops as functional food, there is an immediate need to extend the area of cultivation in similar agro-ecological situations in J&K, either as a sole crop or as an intercrop. The introduction of niche value chains in prevailing cropping systems will not only increase production but will also meet the goal of raising farmers income substantially, ensuring livelihood security and stability. The expanded area of cultivation will include Kupwara, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Bandipora, Kulgam, Budgam, Pulwama, Shopian, Anantnag, Doda, Ramban, Poonch, Rajouri, Udhampur, Reasi, Samba, Kathua, and Kishtwar.

One of the key challenges in expanding the area of cultivation is the lack of availability of quality planting material. The project aims to address this challenge through the establishment of 5182 registered nurseries on 408 ha and 44 seed villages over an area of 212 ha particularly in heritage sites such as Pampore, Gurez, Padder, Kishtwar, Baderwah, Bandipora, Sagam, Tangdar, Ramban and Poonch. The cumulative output from the nurseries/seed villages shall include 2159 MT of quality planting material, 40000 plants & 10 crore seedlings The outcome of the project will serve as a pilot module for area expansion for production enhancement of high value crops as a long-term strategy in UT of J&K.
Overall, the project aims to promote and diversify the cultivation of niche crops in Jammu and Kashmir, with a focus on increasing production, improving livelihoods, and enhancing market accessibility. This will be achieved through the establishment of nurseries and seed villages, infrastructure development, and collaboration with various partners and stakeholders. The project is an important step towards promoting the unique heritage of Jammu and Kashmir and its niche crops, while also contributing to the economic development of the region.