Agriculture and Irrigation in Jammu and Kashmir

Agricultural Overview

  • Jammu and Kashmir is largely a mountainous state with only 30% of the land under cultivation.
  • Agriculture supports around 70% of the population, making it a key economic sector.
  • The state’s climatic diversity ranges from sub-tropical to temperate to cold, supporting various crops, fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
  • Agriculture contributes 15.8% to the State Gross Domestic Product (GSDP).

Agro-Climatic Zones

The state is divided into four major agro-climatic zones:

  1. Low Altitude Sub-Tropical Zone (JK-1)

    • Located in lower Jammu, Kathua, Samba, and parts of Udhampur.
    • Supports crops like rice, wheat, sugarcane, maize, pulses, and oilseeds.
    • Receives moderate rainfall.

  2. Mid to High Altitude Intermediate Zone (JK-2)

    • Covers areas of Doda, Poonch, Rajouri, Udhampur, and Kathua.
    • The elevation varies between 800-1500 m.
    • Major crops: Wheat and sugarcane.

  3. Mid to High Altitude Temperate Zone (JK-3)

    • Covers Kashmir Valley (Srinagar, Anantnag, Baramulla, Kupwara, etc.).
    • Known as the “Cultivator’s Paradise” due to fertile alluvial soil.
    • Major crops: Rice, wheat, maize, sugarcane, oilseeds.

  4. Cold Arid Zone (JK-4)

    • Covers Ladakh and high-altitude regions.
    • Extreme climate conditions limit cultivation.
    • Main crop: Barley.

Cropping Pattern in Jammu and Kashmir

J&K’s cropping pattern varies by region:

  • Jammu Region: Major crops include wheat, rice, maize, pulses, fodder, and oilseeds.
  • Kashmir Valley: Known for rice, maize, wheat, apples, peaches, cherries, and saffron.
  • Ladakh: Limited agriculture; major crops are barley, peas, and mustard.

Cropping Seasons:

  1. Kharif Crops (Summer sown, Autumn harvested) – Rice, Maize, Jowar.
  2. Rabi Crops (Winter sown, Spring harvested) – Wheat, Barley, Oilseeds.
  3. Zaid Crops (Grown under artificial irrigation between Rabi and Kharif) – Leafy vegetables, tuber crops.

Major Crops of Jammu and Kashmir

  1. Rice (Staple food of Kashmiris)

    • Grown at elevations up to 2100 m.
    • Kashmir Valley is the “Rice Bowl” of J&K.
    • Ranbir Singh Pora (Jammu) is famous for Basmati rice.

  2. Wheat

    • Grown as Kharif crop in Ladakh and Rabi crop in Jammu & Kashmir.
    • Major production in Kathua, Samba, Reasi.

  3. Maize

    • Covers 30% of the cultivated area.
    • Grown in Rajouri, Doda, Poonch, Kupwara, Baramulla, and Anantnag.

  4. Saffron

    • J&K is India’s largest saffron producer.
    • Pulwama (Pampore) is famous for saffron cultivation.
    • Requires moderate climate and manual harvesting.

  5. Oilseeds

    • Cultivated across Kashmir.
    • Major areas: Anantnag, Srinagar.

  6. Pulses

    • Grown as Kharif and Rabi crops.
    • Kashmir’s pulses are of high quality.

  7. Barley

    • Staple crop in Ladakh.
    • Requires low rainfall (30-60 cm).

Irrigation System in Jammu and Kashmir

  • Net irrigated area: 3,55,190 hectares (43.3% of total sown area).
  • Sources of irrigation:
    • Canals (8.6%)
    • Wells and tubewells (6%)
    • Tanks and other sources (8%).

Methods of Irrigation

  1. Canals

    • Most common method in Jammu and Kashmir Valley.
    • Water sourced from Jhelum and its tributaries.

  2. Lift Irrigation

    • Used in higher elevation areas.
    • Water is pumped and carried through canals.

  3. Lever System

    • Used where water is available at a depth of 1-2 m.

Major Irrigation Canals in J&K

Jammu Region

  1. Ranbir Singh Canal:

    • Drawn from Chenab River at Akhnoor.
    • Irrigates Jammu and Ranbir Singh Pora plains.

  2. Pratap Canal:

    • Drawn from Chenab River at Akhnoor.
    • Irrigates Akhnoor Tehsil (20,000 acres).

  3. Ravi-Tawi Irrigation Complex:

    • Connects Ravi and Tawi rivers via a canal network.
    • Irrigates 1.5 lakh acres of Jammu division.

Kashmir Region

  1. Martand Canal:

    • Takes water from Lidder River at Ganeshpora.
    • 50 km long, irrigates 9500 acres.

  2. Shakful Canal:

    • Takes water from Nullah Sind.
    • Used for hydroelectric power generation.

  3. Zainagir Canal:

    • Takes water from Madhumati River.
    • 47 km long, irrigates 13,300 acres.

Ladakh Region

  • Irrigation depends on Indus River and its tributaries.
  • Locally built canals (“Mayur”) play a key role.

  1. Chushot Canal:

    • Drawn from Indus at Stakna.
    • Irrigates 200 acres in Chushot, Gongma, Shama, Yokma, and Balam.

  2. Thiksey Canal:

    • Drawn from Indus River.
    • Irrigates Ranbirpura village (120 acres).

Government Schemes for Agricultural Development

  1. Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)

    • Launched in 2007.
    • Aims for 4% annual growth in agriculture.

  2. National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)

    • Focus on rainfed areas, water conservation, soil health.

  3. Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA)

    • Transfers latest agricultural technology to farmers.
    • Implemented in Anantnag, Budgam, Kupwara, Leh, Kargil, and more.

  4. Agri-Export Zones

    • Apple zones: Srinagar, Baramulla, Anantnag, Kupwara, Kathua, Pulwama.
    • Walnut zones: Srinagar, Baramulla, Anantnag, Kupwara, Doda, Poonch.

  5. National Agriculture Market (NAM)

    • Online trading platform for agricultural produce.
    • Linked Narwal (Jammu), Jabilpora (Anantnag), Parimpora (Srinagar), Sopore (Baramulla) mandis.
 
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Horticulture in Jammu and Kashmir

Horticulture is a major sector of Jammu and Kashmir’s economy, contributing 7-8% to the state’s GDP and 45% to the total agricultural output. The region’s diverse climate supports the growth of various fruits, vegetables, floriculture, and medicinal plants​.

1. Importance of Horticulture in J&K

✅ Employment Generator – Directly and indirectly employs over 7 lakh people.
✅ Largest Producer of Apples & Walnuts in India.
✅ Major Export Contributor – Fruits like apple, walnut, and saffron are exported globally.
✅ Diverse Climate – Supports the growth of temperate, sub-tropical, and arid horticultural crops.

2. Major Horticultural Crops of Jammu & Kashmir

A. Fruits

Fruit Details Major Producing Areas
Apple 🍏 J&K produces 80% of India’s apples. Cultivation started in 1930 in Sopore. Baramulla, Shopian, Kupwara, Pulwama, Anantnag.
Walnut 🌰 J&K produces 90% of India’s walnuts. Three varieties: Kagzi, Sulaiman, Burzil. Kupwara, Baramulla, Pulwama, Anantnag, Shopian.
Pear 🍐 Two varieties: Nakh Kashmiri & Williams. Grows well in cool, humid climate. Entire Kashmir Valley.
Cherry 🍒 Largest cherry producer in India. Srinagar, Baramulla.
Peach & Apricot 🍑 Requires cool & humid weather. Hilly areas of Kashmir & Ladakh.
Almond 🌿 Grown in Karewa soils. Pulwama, Anantnag, Budgam, Shopian.
Strawberry 🍓 Grown in small quantities. Srinagar, Baramulla.

B. Floriculture (Flower Cultivation) 🌷

  • Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh have suitable conditions for floriculture.
  • Tulip Garden, Srinagar – Largest in Asia, located at Zabarwan Mountains.
  • Marigold, Gladiolus, Tuberose – Grown in Kathua, Udhampur, Rajouri.
  • Lilium & Gerbera – Cultivated in shaded net conditions in Kishtwar & Kargil​.

C. Vegetable Production 🥦

  • Major Vegetables: Potato, turnip, carrot, spinach, tomato, cabbage, cauliflower, radish, onion, lotus-stalk, brinjal, bitter gourd.
  • Budgam district is the largest vegetable producer (nicknamed Mini Punjab).
  • Other vegetable-producing districts: Pulwama, Ganderbal, Kupwara, Anantnag, Baramulla, Bandipora​.

D. Spices & Aromatic Plants 🌿

  • Saffron – J&K is India’s largest saffron producer.
    • Pampore (Pulwama) is called the Saffron Town of India.
    • Around 4,490 hectares of land is used for saffron cultivation​.
  • Medicinal & Aromatic Plants – Lavender, rosemary, wild marigold, and chamomile are grown in higher altitude areas.

3. Agro-Climatic Zones & Suitable Horticultural Crops

Zone Regions Suitable Fruits
Temperate Zone Entire Kashmir Valley, parts of Poonch, Rajouri, Doda, Kathua, Udhampur. Apple, pear, cherry, walnut, almond, chestnut, strawberry, grapes.
Sub-Temperate Zone Kathua, Poonch, Rajouri, Udhampur, Reasi, Doda, Ramban, Kishtwar. Peach, plum, apricot, almond, pear, pecan nut, olive.
Sub-Tropical Zone Jammu, Kathua, Rajouri, Udhampur, Reasi, Doda (lower areas). Mango, citrus, guava, litchi, amla, grapes.
Arid Temperate Zone Leh and Kargil. Grapes (resin type), prunes, drying varieties of apricots, seabuckthorn.

4. Government Schemes & Initiatives 🚀

A. Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) (2014)

  • Covers production, processing, and marketing of fruits, vegetables, saffron, and flowers.
  • High-Density Apple Plantation Scheme at Zainapora (Shopian) & Rangreth (Budgam).

B. National Saffron Mission (2010)

  • Implemented under the Jammu and Kashmir Saffron Act, 2007.
  • Focuses on enhancing saffron production & processing.
  • Saffron Park at Dusso (Pulwama) established for post-harvest management​.

C. Market Infrastructure Development

  • Terminal Markets – Narwal (Jammu), Parimpora (Srinagar), Sopore.
  • 10 Satellite Markets – Kulgam, Shopian, Pulwama, Chari Sharief, Handwara, Udhampur.
  • Kishan Ghar – Wholesale farmer markets in Jammu & Rajbagh (Srinagar).

D. Export-Oriented Initiatives

  • Agri-Export Zones for apples (Srinagar, Baramulla, Anantnag, Kupwara, Kathua, Pulwama).
  • Walnut Export Zones in Srinagar, Baramulla, Anantnag, Kupwara, Kathua, Pulwama, Doda, Poonch, Udhampur, Rajouri​.

 

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