HADP rollout, tech infusion to modernise farm sector, boost income: Govt
Jammu, Feb 12: The Jammu and Kashmir government has implemented a multi-pronged strategy to promote modern farming practices across the Union Territory, with a focus on protected cultivation, farm mechanisation, digital monitoring and market integration, the Assembly was informed on Thursday.
Replying to a query by legislator Shamim Firdous, the government said interventions under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) — spanning the entire agriculture ecosystem — have systematically introduced farmers to improved seed systems, protected cultivation, advanced crop husbandry and mechanisation.
“The programme aims to transform agriculture from a subsistence-based activity to a commercially oriented sector, guided by the principles of economy, equity and ecology,” the government said in a written reply during the ongoing budget session.
Over 2.1 lakh farmers have been trained in modern agronomic techniques through structured capacity-building programmes, including those delivered via the Daksh Kisan Portal, it added.
The government said farmers in Srinagar have specifically benefited from projects related to high-value vegetable cultivation, protected cultivation structures, organic and natural farming, mushroom cultivation and beekeeping.
Modernisation efforts, the reply said, include promotion of polyhouses and hi-tech greenhouses for controlled-environment farming, distribution of high-quality hybrid seeds and planting material, and supply of tractors, power tillers and precision implements to reduce drudgery and improve efficiency.
Digital platforms such as the Output Tracking Application (OTA) and Kisan Sathi Portal have been operationalised for real-time monitoring of farm assets and data-driven extension services, it said.
Complementing HADP, the Jammu and Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement Project (JKCIP) — supported by IFAD and the Centre — is promoting market-led production, climate-smart agriculture and value-chain integration to link producers with remunerative markets, the government added.
On input support and climate resilience, the government said farmers are being provided subsidised high-yielding and stress-tolerant seeds, micro-irrigation systems, rainwater harvesting structures, bio-fertilisers and support for integrated pest management.
Crop insurance coverage under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and promotion of Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) have been strengthened to mitigate climate-induced risks and diversify farm incomes, it said.
To improve market access and price realisation, the government has taken steps to strengthen cold storage, Controlled Atmosphere (CA) storage, grading and packing units, and Rural Business and Service Hubs. Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) are being promoted to enhance bargaining power, while value addition, branding and GI tagging are being encouraged for premium pricing.
Integration with e-NAM and digital price forecasting tools has also been enhanced to improve transparency and price discovery, the government said.
“Collectively, these measures aim to enhance farm resilience, reduce exposure to risk and improve income stability for farmers across the Union Territory,” the reply added. (KNS)
