Starting a business in order to make a living has become a must for people in Kashmir as there seems to be no way government or private sector could accommodate such a large chunk of unemployment in the valley. Jobs whether in the public or private sector are vanishing day in and day out not just in Kashmir but nationwide.
People in Kashmir need to give up the aspirations for working in government sector and replace it with the aspiration of becoming an entrepreneur and launching more and more businesses in the valley. Your business initiative won’t only become a reason for others who are looking for employment but it will also become your way to success. Here are over 50 small business ideas you can launch on the soil of Kashmir for a very low investment and at the same time make sure to earn high profits.
Agribusiness in Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir’s 23% GDP [Gross Domestic Peoduct] comes from our agriculture sector. But, many people don’t like to step into this sector by citing the reason that it lacks a well-organised framework. However, our domestic agriculture sector demands immediate enhancement otherwise the costly imports from other states will take over soon in Kashmir.
Why would we want costly imports from other states when Kashmir has already a great climatic condition and a rich soil that favours the cultivation of multiple vegetables. We don’t need to spend money on buying imported potatoes, rice, onions, mushrooms, and strawberries as we can grow these vegetables domestically and as a result save a lot of money.
Entrepreneurs must break the stigma that holds them back from working in the agriculture industry and concentrate on taking it to new heights like people do in the other states. Ask yourself a question – why should outsiders profit from your pocket for the same things thay you can grow in Kashmir? We import more than a hundred thousand quintals of potatos, tomatos, onions, strawberries, etc on a monthly basis from states like Punjab, Haryana, UP, etc. It is all unnecessary for the fact we can grow all these vegetables in Kashmir itself and therefore save a lot of money going outside the Kashmir. All we need to do is to adopt commercial farming in our life and use our fertile lands and earn as much as money as outsiders earn from their agricultural produce.
Dry fruit cultivation is something that has a great potential to expand beyond it’s current horizons as people all over the world are big fans of our sweet dry fruits. Entrepreneurial attention is more needed for dry fruit farming in order to maximise it’s productivity. Beyond farming and processing activities, you can also launch online portals and mobile applications to reach wider audience scattered all over the place.
Our food processing industry also presents opportunities for making money despite the fact it is on the brink of becoming saturated in Kashmir. All you need is to setup establishments that shall add value to local grown vegetables and fruits like apples 🍎. That means Kashmir needs more, packaging products, cold stores and establishments that shall make canned products, beverages, snacks and even ready to eat meals while using locally grown fruits and vegetables.
Open a diary farm
There are hundreds of examples of successful people who have multiple their wealth from the money they earned from their dairy farms. You can’t move forward without noticing some people who cry negative about owning a diary farm in Kashmir but the same place is lived by many inspirational people who tell us how they transitioned from financial struggles to riches. Masrat Jan’s story is a testimony that you can find success in a diary business.
There is a significant shortage of diary farmers who are needed to meet the local demand for high quality milk in Kashmir. People who live in cities like Srinagar, Anantnag, Pulwama, Sopore, etc are struggling to get access to the adequate supply of quality milk. They live off their days with processed packs like Zam Zam which fails to stand the quality of milk that comes directly from dairy farms and villagers who raise cows for milk production. This gap between demand and supply of milk speaks itself about the necessity of establishing more diary farms in Kashmir.
Entrepreneurs who would want to explore the dairy farming opportunities will need investment for developing infrastructure like land, cowsheds, water and electricity systems apart from acquiring high milk yield cows like Jeresy, Holstein, and Fresians cows. This shall make entrepreneurs earn money on one side and serving quality milk to the customers on the other side.
Butter and curd production business
Well, apart from quality milk, there is a substantial demand for butter and curd products in Kashmir as well. You can go beyond the horizons of dairy farming activities and make additional income while serving local households, restaurants, and even hotels stayed by tourists with butter and curd products.
What it means is the fact that you can diversify your offerings to multiply your sales besides doing your job of milk production in your dairy farm. Learn a DIY skills to make butter and curd at your home as it would save you a lot of money that would otyerwise go for the salary of a skilled labour.
Open a poultry farming
Chicken imports is yet another challenge we face in Kashmir. Our people spend millions over the chicken consumption but major portion of chicken supply comes from outside. Importing chicken from other states has its own reasons as in Kashmir we struggle with shortage of poultry farms, harsh winter, and costly feeds.
Why should we be dependent on others for chicken when we can do chicken production in Kashmir itself is a question 🤔 that needs an answer from entrepreneurs. We can retain all the money that is eaten up by chicken imports while launching more and more poultry farms in Kashmir. However, we shall invest in the modern heating systems, training, and infrastructure to make ourselves capabls and say No to imports and Yes to the local chicken and eggs produce.
Recycling business
Kashmir needs an efficient waste management system to fix the growing waste problem in the valley. The trash market of Kashmir is worth millions and billions but there are there is no recycling firm that could turn it into recyables. You will see thousands and thousands of recycling collection centres spread across the while valley.
But there is hardly any firm dealing with it’s directconversion process. Almost all collection centres send their scrap to the outsiders while using trucks and lorries. The most valuable trash these centres collect from village collectors who are mostly load career owners includes copper, aluminium, steel ink cartirages, iron, rubber, plastic etc. You can profit from launching your own recycling firm and save house owners and commercial businesses from getting polluting.
Digital Marketing services
Lots of commercial establishments and small businesses in Kashmir have realized the benefits of using social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, websites, and Google search. These businesses that look for digital marketing services include restaurants, hotels, shops, etc. If have experience in digital marketing, you should offer a range of services like SMO, SEM, SEM, etc to help these small businesses be found by more and more customers.
Computer support services
There is a vast base of computers users in the valley who sometimes face technical issues and glitches in their computer systems. If you have the ability to fix what is wrong these faulty computers, it is indeed a great that you launch a business that offers timely computer support to the local banks, educational institutions, and even government agencies.
Web design and development
Internet is booming and so does the facilities it provides all over the world and Kashmir is no exception. People in general look for certain services like buying products online, and unemployment youth look for jobs while students look for educational materials online. This has imposed the local universities, colleges, businesses, and even schools certain amount of pressure to design websites and applications in order to connect with their users. Web designers who already know about this opportunity should right away start a web design and development business in Kashmir.
Open a Tourism business
Kashmir’s 20-30 populace is directly or indirectly engaged in its tourism industry. Billions of tourists come to the Kashmir every year and their number is growing over the couple of years. These tourists need a lot of services to enjoy their trip time in Kashmir. Their demand list contains services that meet their need for food, lodging, transport, and fun activities. That allows you to start any tourism related business like a tour guide business, a restaurant, a hotel, rentals and taxi services.
Open a Sheep farm business
People in Kashmir consume around 60k metric tonnes of mutton every year. Some about 40k tonnes out of 60k mutton production takes place inside Kashmir valley while 20k mutton tonnes come through imports from other states. The extra 20k tonnes of mutton that we import from outside valley can be minimized when local entrepreneurs launch their own Sheep farms in Kashmir. Entrepreneurs who look for business opportunities in the valley can benefit from government schemes offered to assist local farmers.
Saffron farming consultancy
Saffron cultivation is a common farming practice in the Pampore area of district Pulwama. If you’re an experienced farmer who would want additional income, you should offer expertise to the farmers about saffron cultivation so that they are able to optimize the quality and yield of their farming produce.
Hand-made Pashmina Shawls
If you are a skilled craftsman, you may want to open a business that would involve you in crafting luxurious Pashmina Shawls, and at the same time make sure you showcase and promote the Kashmir’s traditional craftsmanship to others living in other parts of the world.
Kashmiri cuisine cooking classes
Those particularly ladies who know how to cook Kashmiri dishes, can consider offering classes which would attract and make locals and tourists master the art of cooking authentic Kashmiri dishes and tasty cuisines.
Walnut processing unit
Kashmir is known for walnut production allover the world and there is scarcity of walnut processing units in the valley. You could establish a facility where you will make sure you process and package Kashmiri walnuts to cater to the needs of local and international markets.
Eco-friendly tourism services
Entrepreneurs who are looking for business opportunities in the tourism sector of the Kashmir can also offer sustainable travel and tour experiences, and thereby making sure they promote the environment friendly practices in the picturesque region.
Kashmiri Artisanal teas
The locals with entrepreneurial spirit can also create unique blends of Kashmiri tea locally popular as Noon Chai while making sure they combine local herbs and favours.
Houseboat Renovation Services
Houseboats are seen in the popular Dal lake of Srinagar city which are loved both by locals and tourists when it comes to making several rounds of the Asia’s largest water-body. These house boats often need renovation services and you can make money by modernizing these traditional houseboats with your renovations services.
Kashmiri Handicrafts Online Store
People everywhere are continuously going online for shopping purposes and Kashmir is no different when it comes to shopping a lot of things online. You can setup an e-commerce store to sell authentic Kashmiri handicrafts globally.
Culinary Tours
You may also like the idea of organising guided tours to make sure you allow explore Kashmiri local food markets and cuisines.
Herbal Skincare Products
You could develop and sell skincare products like Iqra Yaqoob of Budgam who uses locally sources and natural ingredients to make and sell a wide variety of skincare products.
Kashmiri wedding planning
If you have knowledge and experience in event management, you can offer wedding planning services to the local families like Rashid Shah of district Kupwara does by organizing traditional Kashmiri weddings while incorporating cultural elements in the weddings.
Adventure tourism packages
Tourists with adventurous souls look for affordable adventure packages that would allow them enjoy trekking, skiing, and river rafting activities. Shahid Anwar is a good example of an entrepreneur who offers adventure packages in the Pahalgam region and thereby makes a lot of money by curating trekking, skiing, and river rafting experiences.
Language classes
Those who have a PG degree in Kashmiri may want to teach the unique Kashmiri language to enthusiasts like Ishfaq Magray of Ganderbal does as he teaches Kashmiri language and in his own words he not only earns a decent amount of income by also fosters cultural preservation.
Saffron ice cream parlour
Opening a saffron icecream parlor is a new and great way to introduce a dessert ship in the Kashmiri valley that would feature organic saffron infused ice creams to the local and tourist markets.
Kashmiri antiques restoration
Those who love the phrase “old is gold” may want to open a business featuring the restoration and preservation of antique furniture, handicrafts, and artifacts. Shameema Begum of Sopore is a perfect example of a Kashmiri women entrepreneur as she restored and preserves Kashmiri antiques.
Digital marketing services
Digital marketers like Shahid Amin offers SEO, and SEM services to the local businesses to make sure they enhance their online presence. You should open a website and feature all the important digital marketing services with affordable packages.
Publishing house
If you love literature, you can establish a publishing house like Shafi Shah of district Kulgam who is focused on promoting Kashmiri literature.
Kashmiri music school
You can also open a traditional Kashmiri music school like Fayaz Ahmad of district Pulwama who offers music lessons on traditional instrument, and at the same time also makes sure to preserve the cultural musical heritage.
Kashmiri themed boutique hotel
You could also become someone like Asif Waza of Wanpora village who has set a unique example of a person who has created and owns a boutique hotel infusing Kashmiri aesthetics and hospitality. This business is doable under just 10 lakhs.
Snow sports equipment rental
Winter season of Kashmir is something people love from all parts of the world. There are tourists who enjoy skiing and snowboarding and they are potential customers for skiing and snowboarding equipment rentals. You could be like Mir Sajad of Gulmarg who rents out skiing and snowboarding equipment to both local and international tourists during the winter season.
Kashmiri calligraphy services
If you have mastered the art of calligraphy, you can provide personalized calligraphy services like Shahid Hussain who makes a decent amount of money by using traditional Kashmiri scripts.
Culinary vlogger
Foodies of Kashmir may want to become like Tabasum who own a Youtube channel wherein she shares the richness of Kashmiri cuisine through creating awesome online content and makes money from sponsors and ads displayed on her channel.
Kashmiri Heritage Photography Tours
You could also become someone like Mir Hussain who leads photography tours and at the same time making sure to showcase the beauty and history of the region.
Kashmiri Spices Subscription Box
You may also like to become as innovative as Mudassir Nazir of Srinagar city who offers subscription boxes which feature a wide variety of authentic Kashmiri spices.
Traditional Kashmiri Sweets Shop
If you are looking for a low cost investment opportunity in Kashmir, you may open a store like Hamza Bhat of district Kupwara specialising in the traditional sweets like Phirni and Shufta in his locality.
Kashmiri Pottery Workshops
Entrepreneurs can also be like Ali Kumar of Qazigund region who conducts pottery classes and thereby makes money by highlighting the artistry of the Kashmiri pottery.
Tourist Guide Services
If you familiar with local places, you can become a local guide like Shamsi who provides insights into the culture and history of Kashmir.
Kashmiri Poetry Recitation Events
If you love Kashmiri poetry, you may be like Ajaz Dar of Sopore who not only has interest in Poetry but also makes heaps of money from organizing events that promote the rich poetic heritage of Kashmir.
Kashmiri Jewelry Design Studio
Faizan who lives in Baramulla district of Kashmir designs and sells unique Kashmiri inspired jewelry pieces.
Kashmiri Handloom Weaving
It is also a great idea for the local entrepreneurs to establish a handloom weaving unit to offer support to the local weavers. Shahid Amin of Anantnag is an inspiring figure who weaves and sells a variety of Kashmiri handlooms.
Culinary Heritage Museum
Entrepreneurs who want to start a business in the Kashmir valley may want to create a museum that showcases the history and evolution of Kashmiri cuisine.
Kashmiri Carpentry Studio
Be like Zahoor Sheikh of district Kulgam who makes and sells unique and intricately designed wooden furniture with a Kashmiri touch. The finance requirements are relatively low for opening a Kashmiri carpentry studio.
Eco-Friendly Packaging Solutions
People desire a clean environment and so do the businesses look for sustainable packaging solutions. Firdous Shah is an example who develops and serves local businesses with sustainable packaging options.
Kashmiri Film Production Company
Be like Mir Aslam who is a Kashmiri influencer and film producer who owns a film production company where in he and his team produce films that highlight the stories and beauty of the Kashmir.
Kashmiri yoga retreats
Someone who’s familiar with yoga practice may like the idea of hosting yoga retreats amidst the Kashmir’s serene landscapes.
App development for business
If you have coding and programming skills, you could become like Altaf malik of Khanabal area of district Anantnag who creates customised mobile applications to help local businesses boost their online presence.
Kashmiri Embroidery Workshops
If you are an experienced in embroidery, you may take the route of Rasheed Masood of Ganderbal who teaches traditional embroidery skills, and thereby creating more employment opportunities for the local youth.
Kashmiri Street Food Stall
You could also make a lot money by following the footsteps of Shahnawaz Hussain who has setup a stall that offers popular Kashmiri streets foods like kebabs and even sells golgappa to the side walkers.
Kashmiri Board Games Production
Someone looking for unique business ideas in Kashmir may try the production of Kashmiri board games which are inspired by the Kashmiri culture and history.
AI solutions for agriculture
AI is taking over and there is a vast scope for it in multiple sectors including agriculture. If you are a AI developer, you could make fortune in developing AI tools to help local farmers optimize their farming practices.
Kashmiri Cultural Events Management
Your event management experience could prove handy when you plan and organise various cultural events celebrating Kashmiri traditions and customs.
Kashmiri Language Translation Services
Someone with a good hold on Kashmiri language can be like Shehnaz who offers translation services to help bridge the language gap for individuals and businesses in the region.
Kashmiri Poetry Podcast
Podcasting is trending everywhere and if poetry is something that excites and interests you, become someone like a podcaster who features recitations and discussions on the Kashmiri poetry.
