Growing Prosperity: Revitalizing Jammu & Kashmir’s Niche Crops
Jammu & 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 currently cultivated on 32,000 hectares, yielding 24,000 metric tons annually and contributing Rs 945 crores to the region’s economy.
To expand and enhance niche crop cultivation, the J&K administration has launched a five-year project with an investment of Rs 146 crores. The goal is to diversify and expand niche crop farming to 11,100 hectares, benefiting 111,000 farmers and generating an estimated revenue of Rs 2,238 crores.
Scaling Up Niche Crop Cultivation
The project will establish 5,226 nurseries and seed villages to ensure the availability of high-quality planting material. This initiative is expected to create 7,750 jobs, offering new opportunities in the agricultural sector.
Additionally, new infrastructure will be developed, including a Mini Spice Park, two modern rice mills, and eleven grading and processing units. These facilities will be integrated with NABL-certified laboratories and e-trading platforms to ensure quality control and better market access.
Enhancing Market Potential Through GI Tagging and Export Promotion
One of the project’s key objectives is to promote J&K’s niche crops in export markets. The government will undertake crop tagging and develop unique descriptors to facilitate Geographical Indication (GI) certification. This will enhance the market value of crops such as saffron, which has already received a GI tag.
To further support farmers, capacity-building programs will be introduced in collaboration with SKUAST-Kashmir, SKUAST-Jammu, and the Department of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare.
Geographical Expansion and Diversification
The expansion plan covers multiple districts, with specific crops allocated based on climatic and soil conditions:
- Saffron – 290 hectares in districts such as Kupwara, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Bandipora, Kulgam, Shopian, and Anantnag, Doda, Ramban, Poonch, Rajouri, Reasi and Udhampur.
- Kalazeera – 300 hectares in Bandipora, Kishtwar, and Pulwama.
- Kashmiri Lal Mirch – 1,000 hectares in Anantnag, Kulgam, and Kupwara.
- Peacnut – 410 hectares in Doda, Rajouri, Poonch, and Kishtwar.
- Baderwah Rajmash – 6,000 hectares in Kishtwar, Kathua, Poonch, Rajouri, and Doda.
- Hill Garlic – 2,000 hectares in Jammu, Samba, Kathua, and Udhampur.
- Mushkbudhji – 600 hectares in Anantnag, Kulgam, and Kupwara.
- Red Rice – 500 hectares in Anantnag, Baramulla, Kupwara, and Budgam.
Ensuring Quality and Productivity through Research and Seed Development
A major constraint in niche crop expansion has been the limited availability of quality planting material. To address this, the project will establish 5,182 registered nurseries over 408 hectares and 44 seed villages covering 212 hectares in heritage growing regions like Pampore, Gurez, Padder, Kishtwar, and Baderwah.
These nurseries and seed villages will produce 2,159 metric tons of quality planting material, along with 40,000 elite planting stocks and 10 crore seedlings. This will help bridge the market gap and ensure year-round supply.
Economic and Developmental Impact
The Promotion of Niche Crops project aligns with the Holistic Agriculture Development Program (HADP) and is expected to transform J&K into a hub for high-value agricultural products. By integrating modern technology with traditional knowledge, the project aims to increase farmer incomes, create employment, and enhance market linkages.
With strategic interventions in research, infrastructure, and marketing, J&K’s niche crop sector is poised for a major transformation, ensuring long-term economic and agricultural sustainability.
