Srinagar: The Jammu Kashmir Fruits and Vegetables Processing and Integrated Cold Chain Association (JKPICCA) has welcomed the Jammu and Kashmir Budget 2026–27, particularly appreciating the government’s emphasis on strengthening the horticulture sector, which it described as the economic backbone of the Union Territory.
In a statement, the association welcomed the expansion of crop insurance coverage to key horticulture crops, including apple, saffron, mango and litchi. It said the move is significant in the context of rising climate variability, frequent weather extremes and market uncertainties, and would provide income security to growers while boosting confidence in orchard investment and crop diversification.
JKPICCA also appreciated the continued focus on capital expenditure, infrastructure development and agricultural transformation, including high-density horticulture, market reforms and ease of doing business. The association said the emphasis on nursery development, productivity enhancement, agri-allied sectors and processing ecosystems reflects a long-term strategy aimed at value addition and employment generation across the horticulture value chain.
The association said the Budget’s intent to shift from volume-driven growth to quality- and income-centric agriculture aligns with the objectives of organised processing, grading, storage and integrated cold chain infrastructure.
Highlighting the importance of post-harvest infrastructure, JKPICCA said a strong storage and value chain ecosystem is essential for converting higher horticulture output into sustainable farmer incomes. It said targeted expansion of Controlled Atmosphere storage capacity, along with rational power support and modernisation incentives, would strengthen Jammu and Kashmir’s position in domestic and export fruit markets.
JKPICCA President Bashir Ahmad Naik said the association remains committed to working closely with the government to build a resilient, climate-smart and market-oriented horticulture economy that delivers long-term benefits to growers, processors and cold chain operators across the Union Territory.
