Farmers in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district have set a great example in apple farming. On small agricultural lands, they grow a wide variety of apples. They have also expressed a desire for additional facilities. The agricultural land is located in Bughal Block's Gabbar Panchayat. This cold weather zone is located in the Pir Panjal mountains.
Farmers, mostly from low-income families, used to harvest maize and wheat. However, they have now shifted to apples and are growing nearly all of the best apple varieties and qualities. Aside from apples, they also grow various types of walnuts.
"These apples are from our farm, and they are of very good quality," a local farmer said. "Our Prime Minister Modi has said about developing agriculture, and he has also given us land, and we poor people are doing very well by growing apples on it." Despite the fact that the farmers have been quite happy and satisfied with their business, some have expressed a desire for a proper Fruit Mandi in the Budhal block.
According to them, the Rajouri headquarters is 60 kilometres away from agricultural land. They have had difficulty selling their goods in the market because there is no proper mandi nearby.
"We all do apple farming only, but how will we benefit if we can't sell it properly?" said a local farmer. "We request the central government and the district administration to help us with fruit mandi."
The Horticulture Department stated that they, too, have played an important role. They are attempting to provide all types of facilities to the farmers. They are also attempting to raise horticulture awareness among farmers. Officers are reaching out to the most remote hilly areas.
"Apple and walnuts are the two main crops here that we are growing, but the main issue here is hailstorms, so if crop insurance is brought in, more farmers will participate in it," said horticulture officer Budhal Davinder Singh. "Aside from that, we are providing them with all kinds of technical and financial facilities regarding horticulture by reaching out to remote areas."
