High-Density Almond Plantations Proposed for Hilly Areas Including Kashmir Valley | Kashmir Life

AhmadJunaidJ&KFebruary 1, 2026363 Views

SRINAGAR: The Union Budget 2026–27 has proposed the expansion of high-density plantation of almond orchards in hilly regions, including the Kashmir Valley, as part of a broader push towards high-value agriculture.

An almond grove in Pulwama on a vast piece of tableland that Jammu and Kashmir government is intending to give to NIT Srinagar for expansion. This is Kashmir’s last major surviving almond plantation

According to the Budget speech, high-density planting will be promoted to increase yield per hectare and improve orchard productivity through modern cultivation practices. The initiative forms part of a national programme aimed at rejuvenating ageing orchards and improving farm incomes in mountainous regions.

The government has also indicated that the programme will focus on value addition and employment generation, particularly among rural youth engaged in horticulture.