Kulgam, Oct 28: South Kashmir’s Kulgam district is witnessing a remarkable boom in its agricultural sector, with garlic and onion cultivation generating a combined revenue of ₹28 crore in the current financial year.
Chief Agriculture Officer Kulgam, Farooq Ahmad Reshi, said under the Government of India’s One District One Product (ODOP) initiative, Kulgam produces some of the country’s finest garlic, with 185 hectares under cultivation, contributing ₹16 crore in revenue this year alone.
“Our department has established two hi-tech onion nurseries—one at Mirhama and another at Kilam—to provide quality seedlings to farmers. We have also introduced the new T-821 Japanese onion variety from Takii Company,” Reshi said.
“So far, eighty thousands onion saplings have been sold at nominal rates of ₹1 per gram, in line with government pricing. The new red onion variety, personally tested by Reshi, boasts a six-month shelf life without sprouting and produces an average bulb weight of 492 grams. The onion cultivation area in Kulgam is expected to increase from 210 hectares to 250 hectares.
Reshi further emphasized that garlic is not only yielding significant returns but also boosting the district’s economy. With proper post-harvest management, Kulgam could even export its produce, which is currently processed and exported from other states such as Gujarat, Pune, and Mumbai.
“With continued support and infrastructure, Kulgam is poised to become a major hub for high-quality garlic and onion production in India,” Reshi added.
