Srinagar: The Horticulture Department Kashmir has brought 818.51525 hectares of land under apple plantation through the High-Density Plantation (HDP) scheme across the Kashmir Valley from the financial year 2016-17 to August 31, 2025, benefiting 2,083 farmers.
According to official figures available with Rising Kashmir, the department covered 310.00425 hectares under the High-Density Plantation scheme between 2016-17 and 2020-21, benefiting 677 beneficiaries during the period.
The data shows that in 2016-17, the department covered 27.1665 hectares under the scheme, benefiting 57 beneficiaries. In 2017-18, another 39.172 hectares were brought under high-density apple plantation, with 59 beneficiaries covered.
During 2018-19, the area covered under the scheme increased to 53.605 hectares, benefiting 54 beneficiaries. In 2019-20, the department covered 121.34075 hectares, with 241 beneficiaries receiving benefits under the scheme.
In 2020-21, a further 118.9 hectares were brought under high-density plantation, benefiting 266 farmers across the Kashmir Valley.
The department continued expanding the scheme in subsequent years. During 2021-22, 126.7925 hectares were covered, benefiting 352 beneficiaries, while in 2022-23, 37.0235 hectares were brought under the scheme, benefiting 188 beneficiaries.
In 2023-24, the department covered 101.515 hectares under high-density apple plantation, with 415 beneficiaries receiving benefits.
From 2024-25 up to August 31, 2025, a total of 193 hectares were covered under the scheme, benefiting 451 farmers across the Kashmir Valley.
Apart from plantation, the department has also established mother orchards over 40.34 hectares under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP). It has also established mother orchards over 15 hectares under the J&K Competitive Investment Programme (JKCIP) from 2023-24 to 2025-26.
The official data further reveals that the department has also been promoting medium-density apple plantations in Kashmir. During 2023-24, 241.80 hectares were covered under the medium-density apple scheme, followed by 266.75 hectares in 2024-25. During 2025-26, the department has so far covered 263.03 hectares under the scheme.
An official of the Horticulture Department said that beneficiaries are provided financial assistance in the form of subsidies after the plantation is established in accordance with the prescribed guidelines.
“The financial support is provided in the form of subsidy directly into the accounts of beneficiaries after the apple trees are planted and all the parameters prescribed under the scheme are fulfilled,” the official said.
