Srinagar, July 3, 2025: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday announced the establishment of a ₹150 crore Clean Plant Centre in Srinagar under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH). The facility aims to provide disease-free, high-quality plants to horticulturists in Kashmir.
Addressing a press conference after reviewing ongoing agricultural and horticultural schemes, Chouhan said that local growers have long faced challenges due to plants getting infected with viruses within a few years of cultivation.
“This state-of-the-art centre will ensure the supply of disease-resistant planting material, particularly for apples, almonds, and walnuts, boosting the productivity and quality of horticultural crops,” he said.
Additional initiatives announced include:
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A tissue culture lab to promote saffron cultivation in Kashmir.
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Saffron nurseries and quality control labs in Kathua, Anantnag, and Baramulla to monitor soil health.
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Support from ICAR for setting up a Regional Horticulture Centre in Jammu.
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New irrigation projects under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) to improve water supply to agricultural fields.
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Reforms to the National Saffron Mission, with a dedicated team of scientists to boost productivity and reduce losses.
Chouhan emphasized that these steps aim to modernize horticulture, support farmers, and make J&K a model for high-value crop production.
