Status of area and production of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) in Cold Arid Ladakh

Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) belongs to family Rosaceae. Horticulture is emerged as an important sector of Jammu and Kashmir it is known as back bone of State economy. Its contribution in the state gross domestic product is estimated to about 21.89% for year 2016-2017. The area under the fruit in Jammu and Kashmir has increased from 2.95 lakh hectare in 2007-2008 to 3.38 lakh hectare in 2015-2016 likewise the production has increased from 16.36 Lakh MT’s in 2007-2008 to 24.94 Lakh MT’s in 2015-2016. Ladakh particularly known as Cold Arid Region in Northern most of India is located between 34.5o to 34.7o North latitude, 76.2o to 76.5o East longitude and at an altitude of 2,500-2,750 meters a.m.s.l. The present status of apricot both area and production wise is 792 hectare and 1514 hectare, 1923 MT and 3775MT in District Leh and Kargil respectively. Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) being main fruit crop and cash crop of ladakh region has enormous scope and potential for further improvement in future with the understanding of importance of soil health management, availability and the use of improved plant materials particularly suitable to the agro climatic conditions of the area and by inducing post harvest technologies.