Srinagar, April 2 -- Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a 3.4% increase in apple production in the past three years while the export of the fruit out of the union territory has recorded a drop of 26% in the same period, official data has revealed. Fruit production is the backbone of Jammu and Kashmir's agricultural and overall economy with apples contributing the majority( around 80%) of the share. The data presented in the current session of J&K Assembly revealed that J&K produced 20.40 lakh metric tons (LMT) of apples in 2022-23 which increased to 20.64 LMT in 2023-24.In 2024-25, the apple production in J&K increased further to 21.10 LMT, stated the data presented by agriculture production minister Javed Dar in response to a legislator's question."The apple industry is the backbone of the economy of J&K and a major source of income and employment generation," Dar said. Kashmir is India's largest apple-producing region(more than 70%), fetching revenue of over Rs.8,000 to Rs.10,000 crore to the union territory, and contributing around 8-10% of its gross domestic product. The increase in apple production is in tune with the expanding horticulture sector in Jammu and Kashmir with around seven lakh farming families (approximately 35 lakh people) directly or indirectly associated with the sector. 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 the last five years, the Economic Survey report tabled in the assembly last month stated. Overall fruit production went from 20.06 lakh metric tons in 2018-19 to 26.92 lakh MT in 2024-25, the economic data read. The area under major horticulture crops has steadily increased from 3.44 lakh Hectare (2022-23) to 3.47 lakh Hectares (2025-26). However, the figures of apple export out of the UT, stated by the agriculture minister on Monday, has revealed a drop from 18.14 LMT in 2022-23 to 13.59 LMT in 2023-24 and further decreasing to 13.34 LMT in 2024-25. The government has not revealed the reasons for the drop in exports.However, it has said that the increase in production was owing to multiple factors including the adoption of high density farming by the farmers. "To protect and promote local apple growers the department is undertaking the following initiatives including promotion of high density plantation under HADP, HDP and JKCIP for enhancement of productivity and quality," the response by the minister said. During the year 2025-26, 128 hectares have been covered under High Density Plantation till date. "The Department is providing financial assistance/ subsidies for cultivation, post-harvest, storage, grading, packaging, processing and marketing facilities to the apple growers under various schemes," the government said. Under promotion of High Density Plantation and rejuvenation of Orchards (HADP), assistance at 50-80% is provided on plant propagation unit, root stock bank, mother block & protected cultivation etc. "Under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), assistance at 50% is provided for development of new orchards, creation of irrigation infrastructure, Vermi compost Unit, Processing units, Organic Farming and CA storage etc," the minister said. The government is also providing assistance at 50% for establishment of high density orchards for various fruit crops including apples. "Besides, the department has established a network of 24 Fruit and Vegetable Mandis across UT of J&K to provide marketing facilities for agriculture and horticulture produce to the growers/traders. Additionally 13 Mandis are at various stages of development," the response said....