JAMMU, APRIL 20: Director Agriculture Jammu Anil Gupta today conducted an extensive tour of Sunderbani area in District Rajouri to review the progress of various initiatives being implemented under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP).
He was accompanied by Joint Director Agriculture (Extension), Sanjay Anand, Chief Agriculture Officer Rajouri, Rajesh Verma along with other officers of the department.
During the visit, Anil Gupta visited the Growth Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Sunderbani, where he inspected a Commercial Vermicompost Unit established under HADP. The unit is playing a vital role in supplying quality organic manure to farmers, with a production of approximately 600 quintals of vermicompost recorded within a year.
The members of the cooperative also informed that, with the support and guidance of the Agriculture Department, they are in the process of launching a local brand of pickles, aimed at enhancing value addition and farmers income.
The Director also visited a Hi-Tech Polyhouse established by young entrepreneur farmer Rajesh Prasher of Bhajwal-A, Nadani, Sunderbani. The farmer apprised that through multi-layer farming practices, crops such as bitter gourd, pumpkin and bottle gourd are being cultivated simultaneously along with brinjal, strawberry and tomato in lower layers. He further informed that the produce is completely organic, with no use of chemicals and strict adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) is being ensured by workers. The initiative is also generating employment opportunities for local youth.
Appreciating the efforts of the progressive farmer Rajesh Prasher, the Director emphasized that youth must actively engage in modern and sustainable agricultural practices. He stated that adoption of innovative technologies like polyhouses and organic farming can significantly enhance farm productivity, generate employment and contribute to strengthening the rural economy.
He further highlighted that HADP is designed to transform agriculture into a profitable and sustainable enterprise, encouraging diversification, value addition and entrepreneurship among farmers.
During the tour, the Director also conducted field visits to review natural farming practices, including cultivation of turmeric, ginger, curry leaves, colocasia (kachalu), mint and rose farming. He visited orchards where farmers have planted 250 pecan nut plants, 300 lemon plants and 500 galgal trees.
Later, Anil Gupta visited the Seed Multiplication Unit established under HADP by Alok Nath in Sunderbani. He emphasized the critical importance of quality seed production in enhancing agricultural productivity. He stated that seed multiplication units play a pivotal role in ensuring the availability of high-quality, locally adapted seeds to farmers, thereby reducing dependency on external sources and improving crop yields. He urged farmers to actively participate in such initiatives and adopt certified seed practices to achieve better returns.
The Director reiterated the department’s commitment to empowering farmers through innovative interventions, capacity building and infrastructure development under HADP, aimed at ushering in a new era of agricultural growth in the region.