On June 3, 2025, Union Agriculture Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, held a high-level review meeting with Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at the State Secretariat in Srinagar. The discussions centred around expediting rural and agricultural development across the region. Speaking to the media after the meeting, Chouhan highlighted that the development of Jammu & Kashmir is integral to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India).
Chouhan stressed that nearly 50% of the region’s population depends on agriculture for their livelihood and appreciated local initiatives like the ‘Kisan Khidmat Ghar’, a single-window centre providing essential services to farmers. However, he flagged a concern over imported plant material, which often turns out to be infected after a few years.
To resolve this, he announced the setting up of a Rs 150-crore Clean Plant Center in Srinagar under the MIDH scheme. The centre will focus on producing clean, disease-free planting material for apples, almonds, walnuts, and berries. Private nurseries will also be supported to ensure quality standards.
In a relief for farmers lacking documentation, the minister said they would still be considered for benefits under the PM-KISAN scheme. He also revealed plans to roll out the Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) soon, aiming to bring horticulture crops under better insurance coverage through accurate mapping.
Chouhan responded to long-standing demands by announcing ICAR’s support for a Regional Horticulture Center in Jammu. He also said that Controlled Atmosphere (CA) storage facilities would now be eligible for subsidies up to 5,000 MT, even if the actual capacity exceeds that limit. The current 18-month storage cap will also be extended to 24 months.
To revitalise Kashmir’s saffron sector, Chouhan said a tissue culture lab and nursery will be set up, along with revisions to the National Saffron Mission. A team of expert scientists will be deployed to improve output and minimise losses.
New Quality Control Labs will be established in Kathua, Baramulla, and Anantnag to ensure better soil and fertilizer quality. Under RKVY, efforts will be made to bridge irrigation gaps between canals and farmlands.
The minister also highlighted infrastructure and welfare achievements, noting that Rs 4,200 crore was allocated under PMGSY Phase IV to improve rural roads. With 93% of houses under PM Awas Yojana already completed, the remaining eligible applicants from a pool of 5 lakh will be given homes post-verification.
Women-led Self Help Groups under NRLM have led to the rise of “Lakhpati Didis” and “Millionaire Didis,” he added, with some women earning over Rs 10 lakh annually. Chouhan also reiterated the Centre’s push for job creation through MGNREGA and youth training, along with ensuring no eligible farmer is left out of the Kisan Credit Card scheme.
Closing the briefing, Chouhan said the Centre remains committed to accelerating Jammu & Kashmir’s growth across all sectors and thanked the Chief Minister for the state's cooperation.
