To increase fruit and vegetable production in the Kashmir Valley, the government is introducing new scientific techniques and methods to enable farmers to produce world-class fruits.
Gardening is one of the major industries in the Union, contributing about 8 percent of the state’s gross domestic product. The Kashmiri apple production is the largest in the sector.
Therefore, in order to increase production and expand the Kashmiri apple market around the world, the government has persuaded farmers to set up large-scale apple farms.
With the help of advanced farming techniques, farmers can use their land efficiently and increase production without adding to the land allotted. After all, contrary to popular belief that large-scale farming is a land-grabbing project, it is possible for farmers to be able to farm less.
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“Our economy is based on fruits and vegetables, and our Kashmiri apples are popular all over the world. So the government decided to set up large-scale fruit farms to compete with other countries in apple farming. It hosts a lot of plants and helps produce high quality apples, ”he said.
In Kashmir, Budgham district has become the center of this change. Here, hundreds of hectares of land previously used by brick kilns have now been converted into apple orchards, bringing economic benefits to them.
“Many hectares of land in Bugam have already been used for brick production. We approached the owners and persuaded them to grow apples. We helped with up to 50 percent subsidies. The harvest was worth more than the previous harvest. We have now successfully relocated thousands of hectares of land that had previously been distributed by brick kilns to orchards. There is a baht.
Gulam Ahmed Pal, a Bulgarian farmer and former brick kiln owner, said the income has doubled since the new system was transferred to Apple Farm.
“The credit goes to the horticulture department. The authorities helped us a lot. In the past, we used to rent only 5,000 Rebels on cane (0.12 acres) for brick production. We had no apples in the area. The authorities then approached us and told us about the new Apple farming method. Currently, we are earning over 50,000 Rebels to grow apples on one canal. They gave us the plant, provided the necessary infrastructure and gave us a 50 percent subsidy. They also helped us by cutting and slicing. I am happy to retire after farming. ”
Paul’s success story has also inspired many other brick-and-mortar owners who are now taking over Apple.
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