The horticulture department in Poonch in India’s Jammu and Kashmir has pledged to bring 35,000ha of land under fruit production, more than doubling on the 15,400ha currently under production.
The district government has put horticulture as a top priority, according to District Development Commissioner Poonch Mohammad Afzal Bhat.
Orchard development on barren land is expected to be fast-tracked to take advantage of the state’s topographical advantage.
Around Rs4.6m (US$93,000) was spent on orchard development last financial year, said Mr Bhat.
