The Hindu : National : New J&K plan for apple revolution

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Thursday, Oct 25, 2007
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New J&K plan for apple revolution

Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government is planning drip irrigation for increasing the production of apple, walnut, apricot and almond for which the State has a huge potential.

The issue of lack of irrigation of horticulture land was discussed during a meeting here between Union Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh and State Horticulture Minister Dillawar Mir. It was revealed that only 20 per cent of the land for cultivation of apple and 10 per cent of walnut area was irrigated. However, there was no irrigation of land meant for almond and apricot.

“It poses a major threat to these fruits on which Kashmir is banking,” Mr. Ramesh told The Hindu. “This problem will be tackled now as a comprehensive plan for drip irrigation is being drawn up. With 50 per cent funding from the Centre, 10 per cent from the J&K Government and a 40 per cent loan from J&K Bank, the plan will be finalised soon,” he added. “We are ready to help the State Government in this venture as the Bank is committed to its social responsibilities”, said J&K Bank Chairman Haseeb Drabu.

Cartons needed

Indian Council of Agriculture Research Deputy Director-General H. P. Singh will help the State officials draft the irrigation plan to submit it to the Prime Minister’s Office for early approval. Dr. Singh would help the State meet the requirement of cardboard cartons if it fails on its own. Right now the requirement is estimated at over five million cartons.

Expressing concern over the shrinking space for these products, Mr. Ramesh said: “Till a few years back, orchards in China and Kashmir were yielding 10 tons a hectare. While in China it has gone up to 14 tons, there is stagnation in Kashmir barring in certain stretches in north Kashmir where it is touching 19 tons."

Drip irrigation, he said, was a time-tested option as it had yielded better results in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. The Minister was upset at the State Government’s failure in benefiting from Central schemes in the horticulture sector. J&K has failed to spend Rs.69.5 crore that had come to it under the Horticulture Mission.

Official figures suggest that the State produces 1,151,341 tons of apples over an area of 111,879 hectares. Its productivity level is 10.1 ton per hectare. Though Himachal has an area of 92,800 hectares, it produces only 180,600 tons annually given its low productivity level at 1.93 ton per hectare. Apple has been the main contributor in maintaining the State’s economy with its yearly turnover crossing Rs.1,800 crore. The yield in walnuts, almonds and apricots has dwindled to less than half of what other countries are producing.

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