Srinagar, Feb. 22 -- The produce by backbone of Valley's economy-the horticulture sector-is expanding. With the increase in area of cultivation under horticulture sector and introduction of high-density plantation, production of dry and fresh fruits has gone up by 34 percent in last five years, official data revealed.

It went from 20.06 lakh metric tons in 2018-19 to 26.92 lakh MT in 2024-25, the data read. The economic survey report, tabled in the assembly, portrayed this trade in positive direction substantiated by the figures.

Every year, the area under cultivation is increasing. More than 35 lakh people are directly or indirectly dependent on the horticulture sector and generating around Rs.10,000 crore for the people of UT. This se...