Fresh and dry fruit production in Himalayan Kashmir, Sub-Himalayan Jammu and Trans-Himalayan Ladakh, India

Rayees Ahmad,Barkat Hussain,Tariq Ahmad

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05835

Abstract

Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh are two union territories (UT's) famous for their beauty and cool climate. Both the UT's are familiar with their horticulture production at the national and international level. Jammu & Kashmir offers enough scope for cultivation of all types of horticulture crops covering various sub-tropical fruits like mango, guava, citrus, litchi, temperate fruits like apple, pear, peach, plum, apricot, almonds, cherry, and apricot. Horticulture has emerged as a fast-growing sector in Jammu & Kashmir and to some extent in Ladakh, offers a wide range of opportunities to farmers for crop diversification. Horticulture has proved its credibility in improving income through increased productivity, creating employment, and strengthening exports. Jammu & Kashmir comprises 20 districts and Ladakh two districts, and both having comparative advantages in some specific types of fruit cultivation due to variations in soil fertility, soil matter, topography, and variable to harsh weather. In this survey, we analyze the district wise contribution and improvement of horticulture production of fresh fruits and an increase in their growing area. The survey-based on secondary data sources collected from the Directorate of Horticulture of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. The data is analytical and empirical, directly contributing to the horticulture production of India. The area and production of apple are maximum in district Baramulla, a temperate region of J&K. While, maximum area as well as the production of apricot is in district Leh, a high altitude and cold arid region of Ladakh.

Highlights

The state (Jammu & Kashmir), has been recently divided into two Union territories – Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh under the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019
During 2015–2016, 90.2 million metric tons of fruits were produced by India (National Horticulture database published by National Horticulture Board) in which Kashmir contributes about 27% alone, to the Indian production
There is a great need to develop a protocol for the organic production of fresh fruits in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh and for their marketing

Summary

Introduction

The state (Jammu & Kashmir), has been recently divided into two Union territories – Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh under the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019. Lime induced chlorosis and alkaline pH and soils high in potassium have been reported as a limiting factor in peach, almond and apricots These factors are responsible for least nutrient uptake, behavior of rootstocks, toxicity of plants, growth, fruit quality and quantity, plant canopy, and other physiological factors (Romera et al, 1991; Morris et al, 1980; Daliakopoulos et al, 2016) The climate of both the UT's is different from the rest of the Indian union and divided into six seasons.

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Conclusion