Rafia Nabi Zargar, Sudhakar Dwivedi, Abid Sultan, Pawan Kumar Sharma, Jagmohan Singh1, Manish Kumar and Vijay Bharti
Abstract
This study employs a comprehensive analysis to assess the vegetable production landscape in the Himalayan region of Jammu and Kashmir, utilizing data from the Agricultural Department and the Statistical Digest of the region. The methodology integrates QGIS mapping and mathematical formulas to determine surplus and deficit areas. Districts are individually mapped based on key vegetables, and an amalgamated overview is derived for the entire Union Territory. Color-coded symbology, including violet circles for production levels, green for surplus, and red for deficit, visually represents vegetable concentrations on maps. The study reveals pronounced disparities in vegetable distribution across Kashmir districts, with Kulgam exhibiting the highest surplus in six vegetables. In contrast, the Jammu region predominantly faces deficits. Kashmir, with seven surplus districts, emphasizes the need for strategic interventions, including value addition, storage capacity augmentation, cold-chain technologies, infrastructure investment, and awareness campaigns. The study advocates for transforming surplus vegetables into value-added products and formulating district-specific policies to address post-harvest losses in the vegetable supply chain. This research contributes valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders to enhance vegetable production dynamics, promote sustainability, and optimize resource allocation in the Jammu and Kashmir region.