Srinagar, Aug 04: The Union government on Tuesday informed the Lok Sabha that it is strengthening high-density apple plantations, cold storage infrastructure and export promotion initiatives across north Kashmir, including Baramulla, to help growers meet global standards and improve market access. The details were shared in reply to an unstarred question raised by Baramulla Member of Parliament Abdul Rashid Sheikh and answered by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ramnath Thakur.
The minister said high density apple plantations are being promoted under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme and the Jammu & Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement of Agriculture and Allied Sectors Project. The schemes provide support for quality planting material, trellis systems, micro irrigation, anti-hail nets, land development, plant protection measures and farm machinery to improve productivity and fruit quality. Financial assistance of 40 per cent in general areas and 50 per cent in Himalayan States and Union Territories is available for up to two hectares under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture.
Replying to the question, the minister said APEDA has promoted exports of apples, walnuts, almonds, black carrots and GI-tagged Kashmir saffron to markets including the UAE and Saudi Arabia. It has also organised international buyer-seller meets in Srinagar and Jammu, upgraded the food testing laboratory at SKUAST Kashmir and facilitated GI tag applications for Baramulla apples and walnuts.
On storage infrastructure, the government said five Controlled Atmosphere storage units with a combined capacity of 18,500 metric tonnes have already been established in Baramulla. It added that 28 cold storage and cold chain projects have been approved across Kashmir under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund. APEDA has also supported an integrated packhouse, while a subsidy of Rs 422.82 lakh was released for a 5,832 metric tonne CA storage project in Baramulla during 2023 to 24.
The minister further informed the House that 244.646 hectares have been brought under the High Density Plantation Programme in Baramulla since 2016, benefiting 599 growers. During 2025 to 26 alone, 58.036 hectares were covered, and 277 beneficiaries received assistance.
