Srinagar, July 4, 2025 — In a significant move towards strengthening the agricultural and allied sectors in Jammu & Kashmir, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, visited the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), Shalimar. As part of his two-day outreach, the Minister reviewed pioneering horticultural innovations and engaged in an extensive stakeholder dialogue with farmers, students, beekeepers, cold storage owners, and nursery operators.

On-Ground Review: Modern Horticulture at SKUAST-K

During his campus tour, Shri Chouhan visited various research and demonstration blocks of SKUAST-K. He was briefed on scientific interventions in horticulture that are transforming the valley’s agri-economy. These included:

• High-yielding apple varieties that bear fruit within the first year of plantation

• Protective netting systems to shield crops from hail damage

• Scientific pruning techniques for improved productivity

• Optimized irrigation and nutrient management systems

Local orchardists shared their success stories with the Minister, citing enhanced production and income stability due to the adoption of such modern practices.

Student Showcase: Innovation and Local Produce

The Minister also interacted with a diverse group of students from across India currently studying at SKUAST-K. The students exhibited a rich collection of horticultural produce — including apples, walnuts, almonds, apricots, and berries — along with post-harvest storage techniques, such as cold-stored apples preserved for over six months.

Shri Chouhan lauded the innovation-driven approach of students and appreciated SKUAST-K’s evolution into a vibrant centre for agri-learning and experimentation.

Stakeholder Meeting: Voices from the Ground

Following the field visit, Shri Chouhan convened a high-level stakeholder interaction, bringing together key players across the agriculture value chain. The dialogue was marked by honest exchanges, appreciation of central initiatives, and detailed presentations of challenges faced by different communities:

Saffron Growers

• Demanded better irrigation infrastructure and functional use of 128 borewells

• Sought increased research support to improve yield and compete globally

• Expressed concern over climate change impact on saffron quality and productivity

Beekeepers

• Urged introduction of insurance schemes for beekeeping

• Requested affordable credit access and strict regulation on pesticide usage

• Highlighted the need for research and tech adoption in honey production

Apple Growers

• Highlighted the effects of global warming and hailstorms on orchards

• Marginal growers spoke of vulnerability due to small landholdings

• Requested access to affordable, high-quality inputs and pesticide cost reduction

Cold Storage Operators

• Called for crop insurance and fair pricing to maintain price stability

• Sought input price parity with hill states like Himachal Pradesh

• Raised issue of market disruption in urban centers due to imported produce

• Requested higher subsidies on large cold storage facilities

Nursery Operators

• Emphasized the need for efficient logistics and transportation

• Suggested dedicated railway policies for timely movement of planting materials

Minister’s Response: A Vision Rooted in ‘Seva’ and Self-Reliance

Responding empathetically, Shri Chouhan reiterated that direct engagement with farmers is not just a governance practice but an act of seva — service to the nation. He emphasized:

• The government’s unwavering focus on increasing farmer income

• Clean Plant Centres to be established in partnership with J&K Government

• Subsidy support for private nurseries to improve planting material quality

• Greater ICAR scientist involvement in field-level farmer interaction

• Promotion of high-density plantation under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)

The Minister outlined a holistic roadmap to make Jammu & Kashmir a horticulture powerhouse, with measures to:

• Reduce reliance on imports

• Enforce import duties to protect local produce

• Strengthen export infrastructure and cold-chain logistics

• Improve railway connectivity for crop movement

• Reform the pesticide ecosystem, ensuring affordability and penalizing substandard suppliers

Commitment to Farmers: “From Seed to Shelf”

In his concluding remarks, Shri Chouhan declared that the government remains committed to supporting farmers at every step — from seed to shelf. He highlighted the Centre’s vision of Viksit Jammu & Kashmir and expressed personal dedication to ensuring farmers’ voices are heard and acted upon. “My phone is always open to farmers. Public service is meaningful only when it is heartfelt and grounded in the lives of the people,” he said.

Conclusion

The Union Minister’s visit to SKUAST-K underscored a shift towards grassroots-level problem-solving, technology-driven agricultural growth, and inclusive development. The dialogue with stakeholders and emphasis on tangible solutions reflected the government’s broader intent to empower rural communities, reinforce farmer livelihoods, and usher in a new era of sustainable agricultural progress in Jammu & Kashmir.

For more details, check press release on PIB website.

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