A INR 150-crore ‘Clean Plant Center’ to be established in Srinagar under MIDH scheme
SRINAGAR, 4 July 2025: Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, conducted a comprehensive review of agriculture and rural development initiatives in Jammu & Kashmir during a meeting with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at the State Secretariat, Srinagar.
Highlighting the critical role of Jammu & Kashmir in realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed India, Shri Chouhan outlined several new initiatives aimed at boosting the region’s agricultural sector and rural infrastructure.
He announced a INR 150-crore ‘Clean Plant Center’ to be established in Srinagar under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH). This center will focus on providing disease-free planting materials for apples, almonds, walnuts, and berries — crops that form the backbone of the state’s horticulture economy. Private nurseries will also be supported to ensure availability of high-quality, pathogen-free plants to farmers.
Shri Chouhan further emphasized that farmers who have received government land allotments but lack documentation will now be eligible to receive benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme. Plans are underway to launch the Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) to better cover horticulture crops under PM Fasal Bima Yojana.
Responding to the demand for a Regional Horticulture Center in Jammu, Shri Chouhan stated that ICAR will provide necessary infrastructure support to Jammu Agricultural University. The storage capacity of Controlled Atmosphere (CA) facilities will be extended from 18 to 24 months, and subsidies will be provided for up to 5,000 metric tons of storage capacity.
Recognizing saffron as a cultural and economic symbol of Kashmir, the government will establish a dedicated tissue culture lab and nursery to boost saffron production and reduce crop losses. The National Saffron Mission will be revised with local experts to improve productivity.
To enhance soil health and regulate fertiliser use, new Quality Control Labs will be set up in Kathua, Baramulla, and Anantnag districts. Water management will be strengthened by bridging irrigation gaps under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).
In rural development, Shri Chouhan praised the progress under Phase IV of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), with ₹4,200 crore allocated for improving road connectivity. Road construction will soon commence in remaining areas, accelerating rural access and mobility.
He also highlighted that 93% of houses under the PM Awas Yojana have been completed, with the remaining to be allotted after beneficiary verification. Empowerment of rural women through Self Help Groups under NRLM continues to foster economic upliftment, with many women becoming successful entrepreneurs.
On employment, the minister affirmed that job creation targets under MGNREGA and youth training programs will soon be implemented to ensure livelihood support. Efforts will be made to ensure all eligible farmers receive benefits from the Kisan Credit Card scheme.
Concluding, Shri Chouhan reiterated the government’s commitment to effective implementation of central schemes in Jammu & Kashmir, underscoring collaboration with state authorities to accelerate the region’s socio-economic development.
