The horticulture sector is the backbone of the economy in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, playing a vital role in rural livelihoods and the region’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). According to the Economic Survey 2025-26, horticulture spans approximately 3.47 lakh hectares, generates around `10,000 crore annually, and supports nearly 35 lakh people directly or indirectly through allied sectors such as trade, transport, grading, packaging, and processing. Beyond income, horticulture drives employment, rural development, and overall economic stability.

Among horticultural crops, apple cultivation dominates, contributing nearly 75% of total fruit production. The apple industry is a lifeline for a large segment of the population, particularly in the Kashmir valley, supporting farm families, traders, transporters, and various........

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