PHDEC, with financial support from the Export Development Fund (EDF), has sponsored a Cherry Nursery Development Project in Gilgit-Baltistan to strengthen the region’s cherry production base and enhance its export potential. The project aims to develop a sustainable supply of quality, large-size and high-demand cherry plants for growers, with the long-term potential to provide up to 5 million plants annually. The initiative builds on the successful export of cherries from Gilgit-Baltistan to China and seeks to further improve production capacity, varietal quality and orchard productivity.
The total project cost is Rs. 84.4 million, out of which Rs. 9.9 million has been released to the Mountain Agricultural Research Centre (MARC) for implementation of the project. Under the initiative, approximately 2.5–3.0 million quality cherry plants will be distributed among cherry growers through the Gilgit-Baltistan Agriculture Department, AKRSP and GBRSP. The project is expected to provide growers with improved planting material and contribute to the development of a commercially viable and export-oriented cherry value chain in the region.
Objectives
- Develop and promote quality cherry nursery production in Gilgit-Baltistan.
- Provide growers with improved, high-demand and commercially suitable cherry plants.
- Strengthen the production base to meet growing domestic and export demand.
- Improve orchard productivity, fruit quality and varietal consistency.
- Facilitate the expansion of cherry cultivation in suitable areas of GB.
- Strengthen linkages among research institutions, nurseries, growers and development partners.
Expected Outcomes
- Distribution of approximately 2.5–3.0 million quality cherry plants among growers.
- Increased availability of improved and high-demand cherry planting material.
- Expansion of productive cherry orchards across suitable areas of GB.
- Improved productivity, fruit quality and market competitiveness of GB cherries.
- Strengthened supply base for the growing China and other export markets.
Development of a sustainable, export-oriented cherry value chain in Gilgit-Baltistan.
