As part of the 1,100 km Mission Horticulture Journey, Day 3 brought us to the vibrant and progressive region of Doda District. Through multiple stops, we witnessed inspiring examples of how the Holistic Agriculture Development Program (HADP) and other schemes are transforming lives, boosting productivity, and fostering innovation.
Stop 1: Village Lowang, Subdivision Bani
We began the day with a visit to Mr. Abdul Razak’s ultra-high-density apple orchard, developed under the HADP scheme.
- Supported By:
- Shri Shakeel Ji, District Horticulture Officer.
- Mr. Sabir Ji, Horticulture Development Officer (HDO), Bani.
This initiative highlights the immense potential of ultra-high-density apple plantations to revolutionize the fruit-growing landscape in the region.
Stop 2: Entering Bhaderwah, Doda District
In the afternoon, we entered the Doda District, welcomed by:
- Shri Bharat Bhushan Pangotra, District Horticulture Officer.
- Shri Rohan Kumar Bhagat, Horticulture Development Officer.
- Mr. Ajit Kotwal, Jr. Assistant, along with other Zone Bhaderwah officials.
Their warm reception energized our mission to further promote HADP and other horticultural schemes in this picturesque district.
Stop 3: Basti, Bhaderwah
Our next destination was the farm of Shri Jaswant Singh Manhas Ji, who has leveraged several HADP schemes to improve his farming practices.
- Key Highlights:
- Ultra-high-density apple plantation.
- Geo-tank strawberry plantation, supported by a 50% subsidy under the HADP scheme. The total cost was ₹1.60 lakh, of which ₹80,000 was covered by the scheme.
- He has also applied for high-density orchards on 2 kanals under HADP.
The Geo-tank strawberry plantation is an excellent model for sustainable farming and water conservation.
Stop 4: Village Dreja, Bhaderwah
At Dreja, we visited the high-tech greenhouse structure established by Mr. Touqeer Bhagwan for grape nursery cultivation.
- Supported By:
- Shri Bharat Bhushan Pangotra, District Horticulture Officer.
- Shri Rohan Kumar Bhagat, Horticulture Development Officer.
- Mr. Ajit Kotwal, Jr. Assistant, and other officials of Zone Bhaderwah.
- HADP Scheme:
- A 95% subsidy under the HADP high-tech protected cultivation initiative, supported by Horticulture Jammu.
This innovative greenhouse showcases how modern techniques can be applied to enhance productivity and quality.
Stop 5: Revisiting Village Lowang, Bani Subdivision
Our final stop of the day was another visit to Mr. Abdul Razak’s ultra-high-density apple plantation, supported by the Horticulture Department of Jammu. The revisit allowed us to delve deeper into the potential of high-density orchards in this region.
A Day of Progress and Inspiration
Day 3 was a testament to the transformative power of schemes like HADP and MIDH in Jammu’s horticulture sector. From ultra-high-density apple plantations to advanced grape nurseries and sustainable strawberry cultivation, the innovations we witnessed today promise a brighter future for farmers in the region.
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