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Farmers in Udhampur have been witnessing skyrocketing crop yields due to the state-of-the-art polyhouse installed under the government's Holistic Agricultural Development Programme (HADP).
A 76-year-old farmer, Hans Raj Sharma, of Ballian Village in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur, expressed gratitude to the government and the Agriculture Department for the initiative. This revolutionary approach to agriculture is taking root in the village of Ballian, empowering farmers like Hans Raj with access to cutting-edge technology. The massive 500-square-meter polyhouse acts as a protective haven for crops, shielding them from insects and unpredictable weather. An advanced climate control system allows farmers like Hans Raj to cultivate unseasonal crops, extending their growing season and maximising production. The Rs 20 lakh polyhouse installation was made possible by a staggering 95 per cent subsidy provided by the government of India's HADP. This initiative empowers small-scale farmers like Hans Raj by making advanced agricultural technology accessible. The first crop grown in the innovative polyhouse was a resounding success. Hans Raj witnessed a "cucumber boom" with an estimated 2-3 kg yield per plant, totalling a staggering harvest from the 1,410 plants cultivated within the poly house. This translates to a significant increase in both the quality and quantity of his crops compared to traditional open-field farming. Hans Raj is an example of the program's success and a vocal advocate for the sector's potential. "My production has increased tremendously compared to open land farming," he said. He enthusiastically encourages young people to consider agriculture as a career path, highlighting the new modern technologies and government schemes available. Hans Raj also emphasised the stark difference between open farming and polyhouse farming. He said that while traditional methods limit yields and profits, polyhouses allow farmers to produce more crops on less land, leading to significantly higher profits. Earlier last month, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said that Holistic Agriculture Development Program (HADP) is a game-changer for Jammu and Kashmir's agriculture and allied sector that could address challenges faced by farmers. Lieutenant General Sinha made the remarks after inaugurating the Litchi Festival and an agriculture exhibition organised by the horticulture department. Polyhouse farming is a form of agriculture where crops are grown in controlled, indoor environments. These environments are typically made up of plastic or metal frames with transparent walls and roofs. The use of polyhouses allows farmers to control the climate and protect their crops from pests and diseases. (ANI)
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