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| NITI Aayog’s Operation Golden Green For J&K | | | Omkar Dattatray | 4/16/2026 11:04:47 PM |
| Government think tank NITI Aayog on Wednesday pitched for ‘Operation Golden Greens’ -a project for the horticultural sector’s transformation in Jammu and Kashmir and increase exports of apple, walnut, almond and saffron. The report, titled ‘Roadmap for Horticulture Development in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir, further said that J&K’s Horticultural products pose significant global trade potential.’’ However, India’s presence in global markets for these commodities remains limited, with increasing import dependence and stagnant or declining exports,’’ it said. Operation Golden Green [or Golden Greens’’] is a comprehensive, phased roadmap for 2026-2047designed to transform Jammu and Kashmir’s horticulture sector. It focusses on boosting production, improving infrastructure, and increasing exports of high-value crops like apples, walnuts, almonds, and saffron. Operation Golden Green is a strategic, three -phase roadmap and initiative proposed by NITI Aayog [announcedApril2026] to transform Jammu and Kashmir’s horticulture sector into a global hub. It aims to boost production, quality, and exports of apples ,walnuts, almonds ,and saffron ,targeting a Rs.1,500 crore annual economic loss reduction by 2047.Operation Golden Green symbolises a forward looking vision and initiative which is blended and comprises of economic development and environmental sustainability whose aim is to transform and revolutionise agriculture plus associated sectors including horticulture sector which is the backbone of our market economy and for which Jammu and Kashmir is famous throughout the globe. Such an initiative will ensure inclusive development of our UT. At the heart of the operation golden green’s golden is prosperity and economic advancement and green implies ecological and environmental balance and thus we can say that this initiative, approach and vision mix economic growth of J&K with environmental requirements and aims to remove degradation of the fragile environment. This novel initiative and vision pursue that the growth of horticulture sector consisting of apple industry, walnut industry, almond crop and last but not the least saffron production is done so that it is environment friendly and is compatible with the environment and horticulture blends with environmental requirements. There are many difficulties encountered with the farm industry and uncertainty of weather conditions shrinking land holdings, increasing input costs have forced the farmers to shift towards horticulture and allied sectors so that the farmers are saved from the uncertainties of agricultural farming which faces several difficulties and uncertainties. Thus, the farmers are choosing and shifting to horticulture sector which gives the benefit of cash crops as well as ready market accessibility. Thus, the farmers are encouraged to shift from traditional and conventional farming to high -value crops including horticulture, medicinal plants and organic produce. It seeks to enhance the income of the horticulturalists, agriculturists etc.
Operation Golden Green is not merely an agricultural initiative but is a vision for a balanced future in which progress is not at the cost of environment. Operation Golden Green is a newly proposed strategic initiative by NITI Aayog to transform Jammu and Kashmir’s horticulture sector, focusing on boosting exports of horticulture produce and gain immediate income which will enhance economic prosperity of the horticulturists and allied sector.it aims to raise farmer incomes, implement modern technology, and address trade deficits ,structured in thee phases from 2026 to 2047.It is in fact a long -term approach to transform and revolutionize horticulture and allied sectors which aims to enhance the incomes of the agriculturists and horticulturists. Its objective is to revolutionize J&K’s horticulture sector, transforming it from a traditional industry into a global export powerhouse, addressing low productivity [1.46% CAGR] and stagnant exports. Aims to promote high-density plantation to improve yields, enhancing irrigation, and strengthening Farmers Producers Organisations [FPO’s].It also aims to developing global market access, enhancing branding, and reducing post-harvest losses.
Key Objectives & Details of Operation Golden Green---1—Targeted Crops---Focussed on high-value fruits[apples], dry fruit [walnuts, almonds], saffron, and other horticultural products.2---Five Sub-Missions---The operation includes specific missions for dry fruits, fresh fruits, vegetables, floriculture, and minor crops. 3—Three-Phase Implementation—
Phase 1—2026-30
Phase 2—2030-35
Phase 3—2035-47
A--Infrastructure & Modernization---Focusses on strengthening supply chains, improved irrigation, setting up modern grading, packing, and Controlled Atmosphere [CA] storage facilities. B---Goal---To move away from primitive agricultural practices towards sustainable, high-productivity methods. C---Economic Impact---Aims to enhance the competitiveness of J&K’s products in global markets to increase farmers income.
Contextual Background---While fruit cultivation has grown, the sector has faced challenges like stagnant exports and high import dependence for items like walnuts. Operation Golden Green, detailed in the report ‘’Roadmap for Horticulture Development in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir ‘’by NITI Aayog, is designed to fix these issues.
Outlining the roadmap to enhance production of horticultural products in J&K, the Aayog said that there will be five sub-missions, dedicated to dry fruits, fresh fruits, vegetables, floriculture and minor crops, with each sub-mission built on twelve identified common components but with differentiated priorities, allocations, and activities aligned to its respective value chain and regional potential. It will be implemented in three phases, with Phase 1extending from 2026-30, Phase 2from 2030-35and Phase 3 from 2035—47’’,the report said. According to the report, short term [2026-28] and medium -term 2028-30]measures will fall within phase 1,while long-term actions [2031 onwards] are implemented through phases 2 and 3.The report noted that initiatives such as the Indian International Kashmir Saffron Park and dedicated branding campaigns can help secure premium positioning in global markets for saffron .’’
Strengthening domestic production by increasing area in non-traditional areas with the support of irrigation systems and improved planting material ,enhenc9ing quality, and improving market linkages could help boost India’s share in the global trade,’’ it said. The report noted that enhancing apple production in Jammu and Kashmir requires a combination of import substitution strategies and export promotion efforts to strengthen the domestic apple industry .’’This includes enhancing domestic apple production through improved quality and productivity ,reducing post-harvest losses by expanding storage and cold-chain infrastructure and establishing modern grading ,packaging ,processing and CA storage facilities, promoting high-density apple plantations to improve yield and land productivity and strengthening exp[ort competitiveness through better varieties ,mechanisation of apple orchards, branding and improved market access,’’ it said. Jammu and Kashmir’s horticultural landscape has faced challenges related to declining productivity and structural inefficiencies. This, initiative seeks not only to modernize agricultural practices but also to position the region as a competitive player in both domestic and international markets, specifically in high -value crops. The horticulture sector in Jammu and Kashmir contributes significantly to the economy, with apples making up 77% of the sector’s output.
Operation Golden Green aims to close productivity gaps that have resulted in substantial economic losses, estimating at Rs.1,500 crore annually.
To conclude it can be said, the success of Operation Golden Green could significantly enhance the socio-economic fabric of Jammu and Kashmir, provide new opportunities and improve livelihoods for local farmers. With, focus on sustainable practices and market competitiveness, this initiative represents a critical effort to revitalize the agricultural landscape of the region.
In fact, this new initiative and vision is transformative and revolutionary as it will transform and revolutionize the horticultural and other allied areas including agriculture in J&K.
The author is a columnist, social, KP activist &Freelancer |
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