The Hindu Business Line : Focus J&K: Providing ideal climate for investment

There is more to the Jammu and Kashmir than woollens and the famous Dal lake. Despite natural endowments the State is not without natural disadvantages such as hilly terrain, small-holder cultivation, single cropping season andhigh altitude. Yet, J & K has beneficially leveraged whatever is has.

Agriculture is an important economic activity contributing to over a quarter of the State income and employing close to two-thirds of the workforce. Grains – rice, maize, barley and wheat – are important field crops in the three geo-climatic regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. The State is also home to a number of temperate fruits including apples in the main.

Basmati, Saffron

The State is famous for premium Basmati rice (grown in the foothills of the Himalayas), saffron, fresh and dry temperate fruits and commercial floriculture, high quality apricot and mulberry silk. Walnut production is important and it enjoys good demand in the export market.

Horticulture has been identified as one of the focus areas of the State’s agriculture development. The sector employs around 25 lakh persons and generates an annual turnover of Rs 2,000 crore. A fifth of the total cultivated area is under horticulture crops.

Animal husbandry is a vital activity. Milk and dairying are growing too. One of the best known products of the State is Pashmina shawlmade of finest quality wool. The leather – hides and skin – industry too holds promise, so is honey production as well as fisheries.

The agriculture, agribusiness and food processing sector has tremendous investment and market opportunity in Jammu and Kashmir given its wide range of products and large supply base. The State provides an ideal investment climate for entrepreneurs to benefit.

YES Bank has been mandated by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries to undertake a study to highlight the potential and prepare anaction plan for development of food processing sector in Leh – Ladakh and Kargil regions.

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