A high-level delegation from Jammu and Kashmir, led by Minister for Agriculture Production Department,Javid Ahmad Dar, has recently concluded an official visit to Europe aimed at strengthening the Union Territory's horticulture sector through adoption of advanced technologies, modern production systems and strategic international collaborations.
The delegation was comprised of Vikas Anand, Director Horticulture, Kashmir; Nodal Officer, JKCIP/HADP; Professor Haroon Rashid Naik, former Director Research, SKUAST-Kashmir and Dr. A. Raouf Malik, Principal Investigator, HADP and Expert Member.
During the visit, the delegation toured internationally reputed commercial nurseries producing premium-quality planting material and designer plants. Detailed interactions were held with the leading experts on nursery management, modern propagation techniques, certification systems, phytosanitary protocols, quality assurance and integrated management of nursery pests and diseases.
The visit provided valuable insights into the production of disease-free, true-to-type planting material, which forms the foundation of a productive and globally competitive horticulture sector.
The visit assumes particular significance for Jammu and Kashmir as a substantial proportion of the high-density apple planting material presently introduced in the Union Territory originates from European nurseries. A first-hand understanding of the nursery production system, quality control mechanisms, certification standards and traceability practices adopted in Europe will help the government strengthen the domestic nursery infrastructure, improve the quality of locally produced planting material and progressively reduce dependence on external sources while ensuring the availability of superior planting stock for growers.
The delegation also visited Koppert Biological Systems, where discussions focused on biological crop protection, integrated pest management (IPM), bio-inputs and other sustainable horticultural practices.
The exposure is expected to accelerate the adoption of environmentally sustainable technologies, reduce dependence on chemical pesticides and promote climate-smart horticulture across Jammu and Kashmir.
As part of the technical programme, the delegation also examined the state-of-the-art horticultural machinery designed for nursery operations, precision orchard management, planting, pruning, spraying, harvesting and post-harvest handling. The technologies evaluated have considerable potential to improve productivity, reduce production costs, enhance labour efficiency and promote greater mechanisation of the horticulture sector.
The delegation further visited internationally acclaimed research and breeding institutions engaged in apple and temperate fruit improvement. Discussions centred on developing long-term collaborations between SKUAST-Kashmir, the Department of Horticulture and European institutions in areas such as germplasm exchange, advanced breeding technologies, genomics, climate-resilient fruit production, precision horticulture, nursery development, researcher exchange, capacity building and joint research initiatives.
Speaking on the occasion, Javid Ahmad Dar said that the study visit marks an important milestone in the government's efforts to position Jammu and Kashmir as a globally competitive horticulture hub. The Minister informed that the expert members of the delegation will prepare a comprehensive post-visit roadmap incorporating the key learnings from the exposure programme. The report will include actionable recommendations and a phased implementation strategy for adoption under HADP, JKCIP and other flagship initiatives to facilitate the introduction of globally proven technologies and best practices across the Union Territory.
The study visit is expected to pave the way for the introduction of internationally benchmarked nursery production systems, robust phytosanitary standards, biological crop protection technologies, precision mechanisation and collaborative research initiatives, providing a strategic foundation for the next phase of sustainable, technology-driven horticulture development in Jammu and Kashmir.