SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir’s horticulture sector supports the livelihoods of nearly 35 lakh people and contributes around 10 per cent to the Union Territory’s gross domestic product (GDP), Agriculture Production Minister Javid Ahmad Dar told the Legislative Assembly on Thursday.
Replying to a clubbed question raised by MLAs Pirzada Farooq Ahmad Shah, Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Mir and Irfan Hafiz Lone, along with a supplementary by MLA Shabir Ahmad Kullay, Dar said about 7.5 lakh families are directly or indirectly associated with the horticulture sector, which generates an estimated annual income of ₹12,000 crore.
He said horticulture remains a key pillar of J&K’s economy, adding that each hectare of orchard area generates around 400 man-days of employment annually.
The minister informed the House that the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is being implemented across all 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir. He said around 13.98 lakh farmer families are eligible to avail benefits under the scheme.
According to official data, 6.86 lakh hectares have been covered under PMFBY, benefiting 12.89 lakh farmers. A total of 3.72 lakh claims amounting to ₹221.71 crore have been registered under the scheme, he said.
Dar acknowledged that farmers and orchardists have suffered losses due to hailstorms, floods and heavy rains. He said the department assesses crop losses through field functionaries and provides relief wherever admissible under existing schemes and guidelines.
The minister said PMFBY provides insurance coverage against notified natural risks, including hailstorms, floods, drought, pest attacks, landslides, storms and cyclones, subject to notified crops and areas.
Addressing the issue of pending claims, Dar said delays were mainly due to Aadhaar verification issues, closure of bank accounts, non-linking of Aadhaar with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) system and frozen bank accounts.
He said the government has launched a special campaign to resolve failed payment transactions and settle eligible pending claims.
“Approximately 60 per cent of the affected farmers have already been contacted and the required documents are being collected for verification and further action,” the minister told the House.
On transportation of horticultural produce, Dar said the government has strengthened traffic and logistics management to ensure smooth movement of fruit during the peak harvest season.
He said a dedicated control room has been established at Qazigund for real-time traffic monitoring and coordination with relevant agencies. The Mughal Road is also being used as an alternative route, wherever feasible, to reduce pressure on National Highway-44.
The minister further said railway parcel and freight services from Anantnag and Budgam to Delhi have been facilitated for transportation of horticultural produce.
He added that these measures are aimed at diversifying transportation options, reducing dependence on NH-44 and minimising delays in the movement of fruit-laden vehicles during the harvesting season.
Dar also said farmers are receiving benefits under various schemes of the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), with subsidies of more than 60 per cent available for several projects.