Srinagar, Mar 25: The Jammu and Kashmir government said it has launched several initiatives to promote the cultivation of elite walnut fruit plants.
Responding to a question by an MLA, the government informed the House that it is offering a 50% subsidy of up to Rs 7.90 lakh for nurseries, with 14 nurseries set up since 2022-23 to boost walnut production in J&K.
MLA Kulgam, Mohamad Yousuf Tarigami raised an unstarred question inquiring about the steps being taken to boost elite walnut cultivation. In response, the Minister in charge of Agriculture Production stated that multiple measures are being implemented to promote elite walnut farming.
He said that SKUAST-Jammu and Kashmir has developed improved walnut varieties, including Bhuthan-GL0100 and Parbat (from Doda), as well as SKJPW-01 (from Poonch), which offer better yield and quality. Additionally, the university is producing high-quality elite walnut plants at RARS Rajouri, KVK Poonch, and RHRS Bhaderwah.
“These varieties are vegetatively propagated at university fruit nurseries, KVKs, and the Horticulture Department and are distributed among orchardists across the Union Territory to establish orchards,” he said.
Besides research efforts focused on the selection and introduction of improved walnut varieties, the government is also providing financial assistance. A 50% subsidy, up to a maximum of Rs 7.90 lakh, is available for establishing walnut nurseries. Since 2022-23, a total of 14 walnut nurseries have been set up.
“For the establishment of walnut orchards, a 50% subsidy, up to Rs 2.70 lakh, is provided. In the 2024-25 financial year, 99 beneficiaries in Kashmir Division have received a total subsidy of Rs 10.5 lakh under the High-Density Walnut Plantation scheme,” the minister said.
Additionally, 253 beneficiaries have been provided a subsidy of Rs 43.16 lakh under the Medium-Density Walnut Plantation scheme during 2024-25. “Under the High-Density Plantation scheme, 50% financial assistance is provided for the establishment of orchards for 12 fruit crops. So far, 836.39 hectares have been covered under this scheme,” the government added.
When asked about efforts to bring the horticulture sector under the crop insurance scheme, the government said that the Restructured Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme has already been introduced in Jammu and Kashmir, and a tender has been floated for the participation of insurance companies.
“Under this scheme, Apple and Saffron have been notified for the Kashmir Division, while Mango has been notified for six districts in Jammu Division—Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri, Udhampur, and Reasi. Additionally, Litchi has been notified for five districts—Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Udhampur, and Reasi,” the minister added.
