Jammu and Kashmir

About 3.3% of total geographical area of the state is under cultivation, of which 60% is rainfed with frequent moisture stress. The present foodgrain production is 1.5 million tonnes and the predominant farming systems in Kashmir are horticulture based. The important fruits are apple, walnut, apricot, etc. The major cropping systems in the valley are rice-mustard and rice-oat (fodder). There is preference for short duration cold tolerant crop cultivars in the valley. In Jammu region, the predominant cropping systems are rice-wheat and maize-wheat in irrigated and rainfed areas respectively. The productivity of crops in the state is still low due to lack of irrigation and low input use. Suggested interventions for natural resource management for agriculture in the state are as follows:

� Rain/snow melt harvesting with proper storage and conveyance

� Drip/sprinkler/fertigation systems for orchard crops

� Site-specific nutrient management on 0.2 million ha rice-wheat to increase production by 

   0.7 million  tonnes/annum

Rice

The state has about 0.3 million ha under rice cultivation which is high altitude rice, both under irrigated and upland conditions. The state average productivity is about 2 tonnes/ha. The major constraints are low temperature during flowering and maturity, widespread phosphorus and zinc deficiency and rice blast. The suggested interventions are:

� Cultivation of cold tolerant and blast resistant varieties like Koshar, Shalimar Rice 1, K 332, K 429 (in hills); Jhelum, Chenab for plains

� Balanced use of fertilizers with application of P and Zn

Apple

Apple is a major fruit crop cultivated in 1.08 lakh ha with a production of 1.1 million tonnes, providing livelihood to around 2.7 million people. The low productivity of apple is attributed to low density planting, old and senile orchards and incidence of diseases and pests. With the following technological interventions, the productivity can be raised from 10 tonnes/ha to 35 tonnes/ha:

� High-density planting with MM 106 rootstock of superior varieties (Starkrimson, Oregon spur, Red

  Chief, Vance Delicious, Ambri Selection) with suitable pollinizers (Gold Spur, Red Gold, Golden

  Hornet)

� Drip irrigation and fertigation in existing orchards

� Replacing the old/senile orchards with superior cultivars

� Integrated nutrient management including micronutrients (zinc, boron and manganese)

 � Use of drought tolerant rootstock MM III