Shivraj Chouhan Reviews Horticultural Innovations in Kashmir, Promises Comprehensive Support to Farmers

SRINAGAR: Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, visited the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST-K) today, where he reviewed cutting-edge horticultural innovations and chaired a high-level stakeholder interaction focusing on challenges and opportunities across the agriculture and allied sectors.

During his visit to the horticulture research blocks at SKUAST-K Shalimar, the Minister was briefed on several scientific advances being implemented in the Valley, including high-yielding apple varieties that bear fruit within the first year of plantation, protective netting to minimise hailstorm damage, and new methods for nutrient and water efficiency. Farmers who had adopted these practices shared their experiences, reporting higher yields and income stability in recent seasons.

“I see this not just as an administrative review but as a seva — a service to our farmers and the backbone of the nation’s economy,” said Chouhan, noting that the government remains committed to supporting farmers “from seed to shelf”.

The Minister also interacted with SKUAST-K students from across the country, who had displayed a wide range of local produce, from apples and apricots to walnuts and almonds, along with innovations in post-harvest storage, including cold-stored apples preserved for over six months. Chouhan praised the vibrant academic environment at SKUAST-K, describing it as a “hub of agricultural learning and innovation.”

Following the field visit, the Minister chaired a comprehensive stakeholder meeting attended by farmers, beekeepers, cold storage operators, nursery owners, and officials from across the agriculture value chain. The session provided a platform for open dialogue, with multiple concerns raised and responses offered.

Saffron growers sought improved irrigation facilities and the operationalisation of 128 borewells to counter erratic rainfall. They urged institutional support to match international saffron quality, particularly against Iranian competition.

According to official sources, beekeepers called for crop insurance, affordable credit, and stricter regulation of harmful pesticides that are endangering bee populations. They requested greater research investments to boost honey production and market access.

Apple growers raised alarm over climate change, hailstorms and global warming, which have hit marginal farmers particularly hard. They demanded subsidies on quality inputs and pesticides to ensure cost-effective production.

Cold storage operators highlighted the need for crop insurance, fair procurement rates and higher subsidies on high-capacity storage units of 5,000 to 6,000 MT. They also flagged the market disruption caused by low-cost imported produce in cities like Chennai and Hyderabad.

Nursery owners asked for better logistics and a dedicated railway policy to ensure timely and cost-effective transportation of planting material across states.

Responding to the concerns, Chouhan assured the gathering of targeted reforms. He announced the setting up of Clean Plant Centres in consultation with the Jammu and Kashmir administration to ensure disease-free planting material. Private nurseries, he said, would receive subsidy support, while the Horticulture and Agro-Processing Development Limited (HADPL) would be encouraged to implement key interventions.

He also vowed reforms in the pesticide ecosystem, warning of strict penalties, including imprisonment, for those dealing in substandard chemicals. “Farmers must retain a higher share of the profits,” he said, advocating transparent pricing structures and affordable input costs.

Chouhan laid out the Centre’s broader vision to make Jammu and Kashmir a leading horticulture hub, with investments in export infrastructure, research, branding, and cold-chain logistics. He underlined the need for rail connectivity to help Kashmiri produce reach domestic and international markets efficiently.

In a parallel visit, Union Secretary of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Devesh Chaturvedi, toured several key institutions across the Kashmir Valley to assess ongoing projects and identify areas for expansion.

At the Indian International Kashmir Saffron Trade Centre (IIKSTC), Chaturvedi reviewed the value-addition and post-harvest infrastructure in saffron processing and highlighted the need for branding and GI-based marketing to improve price realisation.

He then visited the Honey Testing Laboratory at Lalmandi, where he emphasised traceability and certification as key to opening up global markets for apiculture products.

The Secretary later inspected the Lalmandi Floriculture Nursery, where he encouraged scientists and officials to scale up high-value floriculture as a commercial enterprise, especially for local youth and agri-entrepreneurs. He stressed the need to enhance propagation techniques and promote value chains in floriculture.

Chaturvedi was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Pulwama Basharat Qayoom, Director Horticulture Vikas Anand, Director Agriculture Sartaj Ahmad Shah, and senior officials from the department.

Both the Union Minister and the Union Secretary reiterated the Government of India’s commitment to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a Viksit Jammu & Kashmir, where sustainable agriculture, youth participation, and cutting-edge research work hand-in-hand to improve livelihoods and regional prosperity.

The back-to-back visits from top Union leadership mark a significant step towards integrated agricultural development in Jammu & Kashmir, promising new opportunities for farmers, entrepreneurs, and agri-scientists in the region.