SRINAGAR: Around 300 hectares of traditional apple and walnut orchards in Jammu and Kashmir have been converted into high-density plantations under various Government schemes, while another 909.13 hectares have been brought under new high-density plantations over the past five years, the Centre informed the Rajya Sabha on Friday. 667, raised by Shri Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan, regarding the promotion of high-density plantations under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) in Jammu and Kashmir. The Centre said financial assistance under MIDH is available for establishing high-density apple and walnut plantations through new area expansion as well as for rejuvenating old and senile orchards. Institutional finance, wherever applicable, is provided based on project cost and appraisal by the concerned lending institution. It said improved and elite dwarf rootstocks are being promoted for high-density plantations, which can support early bearing, higher productivity and better adaptation to changing climatic conditions.