Ehsan Fazili/Srinagar

In Jammu and Kashmir which has a low industrial base and under developed private sector, the youth are lapping up government scheme to use of modern farming techniques to dramatically increase their incomes from growing vegetables and fruits.

Through schemes like Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM), the farmers are provided with farm machinery, equipment to individual farmers and training in production.

This and other schemes have been launched across all the 10 districts in Kashmir Division. So far in the central district of Budgam at least 50 farmers have reaped the rich harvest by adopting this scheme.

Under this scheme farm machinery and equipment is issued to individual farmers or self-help groups on subsidized rates. And 40 percent and 80 percent subsidies are provided to the aspirants for the establishment of Custom Hiring Centres (CHC) and Farm Machinery Banks on the Unit Costs of Minimum Rs. 10 lakhs, subject to maximum subsidy of Rs. four lakhs and Rs. eight lakhs, respectively.

In Budgam, 50 persons, who have established CHCs, are upbeat about it, which has resulted in better quality of operations and precision in the application of the inputs, thereby resulting in increasing farmers' income.

One of them, Abid Nazir, a 26- year old youth from Khanpora, Budgam who along with other eight friends applied for CHC and successfully established it in the year 2020, under the brand name of The Turabi Group. Nazir, who is doing his Masters in History, was like many other unemployed educated youths, with no source of earning. However, establishing the CHC not only helped him to find a decent livelihood for himself and for his SHG friends but also provided employment to a couple of other youth, hired to operate the machinery.

He said that the utilization of the machinery has not only boosted their farming but also other farmers who hired it from them, has shown tremendous results in the farming sector.

He maintained that the use of the mechanization at their farms for various operations reduces the labour component, saves time and enables them to carry out various agricultural operations efficiently in the shortest possible time, thereby, improving overall socio-economic standards of farmers.

Nazir added that through CHC they found a source of good earning for them and brought them out of despair and instead of jobseekers they turned job providers.

The farm mechanization has assured enhancement of overall productivity and production with the lowest cost of production. The contribution of agricultural mechanization has been well recognized in enhancing the production together with irrigation, biological and chemical inputs of high yielding seed varieties, fertilizers, pesticides and mechanical energy.

According to the Chief Agricultural Officer, Budgam, Syed Tafazul Hussain Madni,  during 2020-21, Agriculture office Budgam has issued four Custom Hiring Centres and four Farm Machinery Banks to individuals and SHGs (self help groups) with subsidy of Rs. 1.20 Crores.

Similarly, in the horticulture sector involving production of fresh fruits like apples, apricots, almonds, peaches, cherries, plums, pears and walnuts, farm mechanisation being provided to the farmers by the Horticulture Department has been yielding desired results.  The Department of Horticulture, Kashmir trained farmers and acquainted them with the modern technology and high density plants to increase their income manifold.

In Kulgam, Horticulture Department through farmer awareness programmes educated people about High Density Plantation (HDP) and motivated them to introduce these varieties in their orchards as it ensures bumper crop and increases in income.

“High Density Plantation gives higher yield as well as returns per unit area by increasing the number of trees per unit area in comparison to the traditional varieties”, said Chief Horticulture Officer Kulgam, Dr. Mohammad Iqbal.

With minimal investment and huge return, the HDP has elevated the socio-economic status of people affiliated to horticulture. This farming is not only benefiting farmers directly but also helps in the increase of GDP of the region.

Mohammad Sikander Rather, a resident of Mirhama Modergam area established High Density Orchard with the help of the department during 2017-18. At that particular time, the Horticulture Department provided him 888 HD plants for an area of eight Kanals.

As his orchard grew and plants started bearing crops in a year, Sikander was flabbergasted with the abundant product.

He started working hard to harvest crops even in large quantities but his sole hard work was insufficient for his big orchard. He employed a few more people who helped him in his multiple efforts like to operate the farm machinery and other time bound horticulture activities in the orchard. Sikandar pays them good wages for their work which helps them to feed their respective families.