The crop productivity in Siwalik rainfed areas including kandi belt of Jammu and Kashmir is very low. To improve the agricultural productivity of these areas, a holistic approach through watershed management project was introduced in early 1990 to manipulate land and water resources more efficiently for better crop production.

The horticulture sector encompasses a wide range of crops, e.g., fruit crops, vegetable crops, potato and tuber crops, ornamental crops, medicinal and aromatic crops, spices and plantation crops. India, with its wide variability of climate and soil, is highly favourably placed for growing a large number of horticultural crops.

While rising temperatures and changes in weather conditions is affecting agriculture and is a matter of serious concern, farmers in Himachal Pradesh have converted it into an opportunity. Apple farmers affected by climate change have shifted to crops like kiwi and pomegranate. Farmers who were earlier not able to grow apples are happy growing apples now, in few other districts.