SHOPIAN, MARCH 06: Shopian widely recognized as the horticultural centre of Kashmir, has recorded significant achievements during the financial year 2025–26 under various centrally and UT sponsored schemes.
During the current financial year, the Department has intensified efforts toward farm modernization and mechanization coupled with irrigation expansion and adoption of advanced plantation technologies to strengthen orchard productivity and farmer incomes in the district.
Under the Capex programme, the department substantially boosted farm mechanization by distributing 6 Power Tillers, 25 Power Weeders and 95 Motor Power Sprayers among orchardists.
Under SMAM (Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization), further mechanization support was extended with the distribution of 7 Brush Cutters, 12 Power Operated Sprayers, 07 Power Weeders, 2 Irrigation Pumps and other equipment ensuring efficient orchard operations.
Under Holistic Agriculture Development Program (HADP), a major intervention through Project P9-Farm Mechanization, three Power Tillers, oneTractor Operated Sprayer, 22 Brush Cutters,10 Power Operated Sprayers, 29 Power Weeders, 15 Irrigation Pump Sets, two Mini Tractors, two Wheeled Brush Cutters, were distributed.
Under Project P13- Integrated Farming System (Integrated Livelihood System) under HADP, 71 Vermi Beds were distributed and 80 beneficiaries were covered under fruit plant support, promoting diversified and sustainable farming practices.
A new interventional shift towards High Density Plantation was achieved under HADP, covering 1.25 hectares of land under establishment in the district,marking a transformative move toward higher productivity and farm incomes.
Under PDMC (Per Drop More Crop), Micro Irrigation through Drip Irrigation covered 7 hectares and construction of tubewells are a step towards promoting water-use efficiency and resource conservation.
Capacity building remained a priority under ATMA, where 430 farmers benefited from training programmes, exposure visits and demonstrations across allied sectors, enabling adoption of modern horticulture practices.
Under MIDH (Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture), 12 Vermicompost Units were established, 1080 square meters of Polygreen Houses were covered under protected cultivation, and 10,150 square meters were brought under Anti-hail/Anti-bird Net Support Systems, safeguarding orchards against climatic adversities and enhancing marketable produce.
A Cherry Mother Orchard over an area of 0.5 hectares is being established under the HADP scheme during the current financial year 2025–26. The initiative is aimed at ensuring the future availability of high-quality graft material for cherry cultivation in the district, which will significantly support the expansion and quality improvement of cherry orchards among local growers.
Moreover, during the current financial year, around 10,000 apple clonal rootstocks of the M-9 variant are being transplanted in the Departmental Fruit Plant Nurseries at Zainapora and Haripora for further multiplication.
This step will help strengthen the availability of quality planting material and promote the adoption of high-density apple plantation systems across the district.
With continued focus on technology adoption, efficient resource utilization and farmer-centric intervention, Shopian is maintaining its position as a leading horticulture hub with 299117.45 MTs annual production of fruit in an area of 26241 hectares, out of which 269656.4 MTs are in respect of Apple fruit only, contributing around 1500 crores to the district’s economy.
