Saffron, Walnut and Dry Fruits
Saffron (Kesar)
- Grown on karewas at Pampore (Pulwama), Budgam, Srinagar and Kishtwar. Only J&K grows saffron in India. It has a GI tag (Kashmir Saffron).
- Area is officially about 3,715 hectares (3,665 ha in Kashmir and 50 ha in Kishtwar). Area figures differ between replies, so check the latest.
- National Saffron Mission rejuvenated about 2,598.73 ha; yield in rejuvenated areas was about 6.96 kg/ha (2023-24) and 5.6 kg/ha (2024-25) against about 1.88 kg/ha in the early 2000s.
- Production (tonnes): 17.33 (2020-21), 14.87 (2021-22), 14.94 (2022-23), 23.53 (2023-24), 19.58 (2024-25).
- 2024-25: exports 17.82 tonnes, value of production Rs 534.53 crore, export earnings Rs 486.43 crore.
Walnut and almond
- J&K produces most of India's walnuts (Kupwara, Kishtwar, Budgam, Anantnag, Doda, Rajouri, Ramban).
- Walnut exports earned Rs 575 crore against Rs 27 crore for almonds (Digest of Statistics 2024-25). Almond and walnut exports together: Rs 602.53 crore in 2024-25.
- Almond: Pulwama, Budgam, Srinagar; almond acreage has fallen by about 10,000 ha (NITI Aayog roadmap).
- Walnut wood is the base of the famous walnut wood carving craft (GI).
- Pecan nut is grown in Poonch (an ODOP product).
Other products
| Product | Notes |
|---|---|
| Cherry | Srinagar, Shopian, Ganderbal |
| Pear, apricot, plum, peach | Valley and Ladakh |
| Mango, litchi, citrus | Jammu and Kathua belts |
| Basmati | R.S. Pura, Jammu; GI tag, exported |
| Rajmash | Bhaderwah (GI) and Gurez (GI filed) |
| Anardana | Ramban (GI) |
| Lavender | Doda ("Purple Revolution", Aroma Mission) |
| Olive | Doda (PMFME ODOP) |
| Guchhi (morel) | Forest produce of Doda and Kishtwar |
Keep practising
Notes are only half the work. Test yourself with questions and discuss doubts with other aspirants.
Prepared for exam revision from the J&K Economic Survey 2025-26, J&K Budget 2026-27, PRS Legislative Research, NITI Aayog and replies in Parliament and the Legislative Assembly. Figures are advance estimates or latest available and official replies sometimes differ, so check the latest Economic Survey and Budget before relying on them. Found a mistake? Tell us.