The ninth day of the 1,100 km horticulture mission marked another milestone as we transitioned from Ramban to Udhampur. The day was packed with interactions, site visits, and engaging discussions with farmers and officials about the transformative potential of the Holistic Agriculture Development Program (HADP) and other horticulture schemes
Stop 1: Advanced Centre for Horticulture Development, Ramban
We began the day at the Advanced Centre for Horticulture Development in Govindpura, Ramban. The visit, led by Chief Horticulture Officer (CHO) Sh. Anil Gorka, Farm Manager Sh. Virinder Kumar, and HDO Sh. Abhinav Gupta, provided an opportunity to witness ongoing efforts to promote horticultural innovation in the region. The team emphasized the significance of advanced farming techniques and their role in boosting productivity under HADP initiatives.
Stop 2: Chenani-Nashri Tunnel
Crossing the 9.28 km Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Tunnel (Chenani-Nashri Tunnel), India’s longest road tunnel, we entered the Udhampur district. At the district boundary, we were warmly welcomed by:
- Sh. Raveti Raman Sharma (DLSMS)
- Sh. Rajesh Gupta (HDO)
- Horticulture Inspectors: Sh. Rakesh Sharma, Sh. Ankush Gupta, and Sh. Kanaiya Chanyal.
The presence of these officials highlighted the collective effort to promote schemes like HADP and MIDH in the region, ensuring maximum outreach to local farmers.
Stop 3: Mada Lower, Zone Chenani
Our first farmer interaction in Udhampur was with Orchardist Sh. Mohd. Bashir, a beneficiary of a 50% subsidy on a power tiller under the HADP scheme. During the visit, we encouraged him to:
- Establish ultra-high-density apple orchards for higher yield and better quality.
- Apply for a 50% subsidy on portable water tanks to address water challenges.
The farmer expressed enthusiasm about adopting these modern practices to improve productivity and income.
Stop 4: Mada Lower, Zone Chenani
We also visited Sh. Subash Chander, a progressive farmer who received a 50% subsidy for constructing a dug well under HADP. Discussions revolved around:
- Expanding ultra-high-density farming for apples.
- Exploring additional HADP subsidies to support sustainable farming.
This interaction demonstrated the impact of government schemes in transforming traditional farming practices into modern, efficient, and profitable ventures.
Stop 5: Champari, Udhampur
Engaging with farmers in Champari, we introduced several key projects under HADP, including:
- Project 9: Mechanization and automation of farming activities.
- Project 15: Development of rainfed areas in J&K.
- Project 21: Production of designer plants to promote high-density orchards.
Farmers expressed interest in leveraging these schemes to enhance their farming practices, particularly in rainfed and high-altitude areas.
Stop 6: Chief Horticulture Office, Udhampur
The day concluded with a warm reception at the Chief Horticulture Office, Udhampur, led by CHO Sh. Brij Vallabh Gupta. Accompanied by officials like HDO Sh. Rajesh Gupta and Inspectors Sh. Puneet Sharma and Sh. Manohar Lal, we shared insights about HADP with over 50 farmers. Discussions centered on the benefits of mechanization, water management solutions, and high-density farming.
A Mission of Transformation
Day 9 underscored the ongoing efforts to promote horticulture as a sustainable and lucrative venture in Jammu & Kashmir. With HADP and MIDH schemes empowering farmers with subsidies, technical support, and innovative practices, the horticulture sector in the region is truly reaching new heights of growth and innovation.
Together, let’s cultivate a brighter future! 🌱
