The Jammu and Kashmir government has approved a project worth Rs 146 crore to promote niche crops as unique heritage of the Union Territory, which will be implemented in the next five years, officials said on Sunday.
"The project aims at diversifying and expanding the area of niche crops over an area of 11,100 hectare, thus ensuring livelihood security for 1,11,000 targeted beneficiaries with a revenue realisation of Rs 2,238 crore," Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Agriculture Production Department (APD), Atal Dulloo said.
He said the initiative will focus on increasing production, improving livelihoods and enhancing market accessibility.
"This will be achieved through establishment of nurseries and seed villages, infrastructure development, and collaboration with various partners and stakeholders," he added.
An official spokesman said Jammu and Kashmir is home to a diverse range of niche crops, including saffron, kalazeera, kashmiri lal mirch, peanut, anardhana, bhaderwah rajmas
