Jammu and Kashmir is a predominantly agrarian state with agriculture contributing 8% to the state’s GDP in 2014-15 The Horticulture sector plays an important role in the state and contributes significantly to the state economy.

The state has favorable agro-climatic conditions with three such zones favoring cultivation of a multitude of crops, vegetables, and fruits round the year:

• Sub-tropical Zone District: Kathua, Udhampur, Reasi, and Rajouri
• Intermediate Zone District: Basoli, Billawar, Lohi Malhar, Surankote, Balakote, Mendhar, Rajouri, Dhoongi, Darhal, Budhal, Triyath, Ramnagar, Udhampur, Ghordi, Reasi, Pouni, Arnas, Mahore, Doda, Thathri, Assar, Bhagwa, Ramban
• Temperate Zone District: Bani, Basoli, Billawar, Lohai Malhar, Poonch, Mendhar, Manjakot, Rajouri,

Jammu and Kashmir offer good scope for the cultivation of horticultural crops, covering a variety of temperate fruits such as Apple, Peach, Pear, Plum, Apricot, Almond, Cherry, Walnut, and sub-tropical fruits such as Mango, Guava, Citrus, Litchi, Phalsa, and Berry.

Some of the key production highlights of the state include:

• Rank 1 in production of Apple, Walnut and Cherry (2015-16)
• The total production of fresh fruits in the state in the year 2016-17 is 19, 59,351 metric tonnes and that of dry fruits is 2, 75,629 metric tonnes

The major production clusters in Jammu and Kashmir include:

As per the Annual Survey of Industries 2014-15, there are 162 registered food processing units in the state. Krishak Bazars are being set up in each of the 341 blocks.

Agricultural markets in Jammu and Kashmir

• 35Fruits and Vegetable market
• 4 Kishan ghar
• 4 Terminal markets
• 21 Satellite Market
• 10 Mandis

Famous Ethnic Food of Jammu and Kashmir

• Rogan Josh: Rogan Josh is an aromatic lamb curry made with the fusion of various spices, yogurt, and browned onions. A healthy low-fat dish, it is best savored with rice or naan bread
• Modur Pulao: It is prepared in the goodness of milk, saffron, ghee, and cinnamon. The rice is then garnished with a whole lot of dry fruits like almonds, cashews, and raisins. The saffron is the prime ingredient as it is grown in Kashmir itself. The bright golden imparted by saffron to rice is so visually tempting
• Dum Olav: The baby potatoes are cooked in yogurt, ginger paste, fennel, and hot spices. Just the aroma of this simple dish is appetizing
• Yakhni Lamb Curry: The lamb is cooked in a special gravy constituting yogurt, mawal flowers, onion paste, and dry mint leaves
• Goshtaba: Goshtaba is a traditional delicacy that originated as a dish for kings and has a royal taste. Therefore, it is made on royal occasions in the Kashmir household. It is basically minced mutton balls cooked prepared in a yogurt gravy and goodness of various spices

Some of the major processing clusters in the state include:

• Food processing & agro-based industries (excluding conventional grinding and extraction units) thrive in the UT due to an excellent climate for horticulture & floriculture
• The Kashmir region is known for its horticulture industry. The industry plays a vital role in the UT’s economic development
• Wood from Kashmir willows is used to make cricket bats. Moreover, Kashmiri saffron is renowned globally and generates export revenues for the UT
• The Government is promoting the organic production of crops. It aims to minimize the use of fertilizers to Kargil district so that all crops cultivated there are on organic lines
• Handicraft is J&K’s traditional industry and occupies an important place in the economy of the UT. Kashmiri silk carpets are famous globally and earn substantial foreign exchange
• The UT has established the Jammu & Kashmir Handicrafts Sales & Export Promotion Corporation and Jammu and Kashmir State Handloom Development Corporation to promote the development and growth of the handicraft sector
• Jammu is famous for its temples, while the Kashmir Valley is known for its scenic beauty. The tourism sector in the UT has a huge employment potential for skilled persons as well as for people without any specialized skills such as guides, sledgewallas, ponywallas, etc
• Kashmir is well known for its quality of silk and traditional silk- weaving industry. Sericulture is an agro-based labor-intensive cottage industry, providing gainful employment to about 30,000 families in rural areas of the UT