Srinagar, Oct. 29 -- Expansion notwithstanding, horticulture productivity in Jammu and Kashmir remains below the national average.

Figures reveal that the Union Territory had 4.2989 lakh hectares under horticulture crops and an estimated production of 40.35 lakh metric tonnes in 2025-26.

The average productivity stands at 9.39 tonnes per hectare, compared with the national average of 12.53 tonnes per hectare.

This makes a difference of 3.14 tonnes per hectare between the UT and national average productivity despite J&K adopting improved farming practices along with strengthening of post-harvest infrastructure.

This gap assumes significance for a region where horticulture generates an estimated annual turnover of Rs.10,000 crore, suppo...