Mission Holistic Agriculture Development Program (HADP) -Jammu and Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement of Agriculture and Allied Sectors Project (JKCIP), Rahul Yadav conducted a detailed tour of the RS Pura Subdivision to assess the progress of various agricultural initiatives under the HADP.
The Mission Director was accompanied by Director Agriculture Jammu Arvinder Singh Reen, Chief Agriculture Officer Jammu Vinod Kumar Kundal, Sub Divisional Agriculture Officer Surinder Gupta, and the staff of Sub Division RS Pura.
The visit commenced with an inspection of the Controlled Conditioned Cropping Unit of beneficiary Vijay Kumar, part of HADP Project No. 10 (Promotion of Mushroom Cultivation), located in RS Pura. Mission Director evaluated the unit's functioning and its contribution to mushroom farming in the region.
Following this, Rahul Yadav visited the Kisan Khidmat Ghar (KKG) of beneficiary Bhanu Partap under HADP Project No. 20 (Innovative Approaches in Agriculture Extension). The tour then proceeded to another KKG at Village Gondla, where the Mission Director inspected its operations and assessed its impact on local farmers, ensuring that these centres are fulfilling their role in agricultural extension and support.
The tour also included a visit to the Mini Soil Testing Lab at Village Laswara under HADP Project No. 19 (J&K Soil & Land Resource Information System). Here, the Mission Director reviewed the lab’s operations and its critical role in providing essential soil health data to farmers in the region.
A key aspect of the visit was the interaction between Rahul Yadav and progressive farmers, members of Farmers Producers Organizations (FPOs), and Cluster-Based Business Organizations (CBBOs) at Village Arnia, Sub Division RS Pura.
During this engagement, the Mission Director discussed the challenges faced by FPOs and explored strategies to enhance their operations for greater efficiency and sustainability. The Mission Director also visited the Hi-Tech Polyhouse of progressive farmer Mahesh Choudhary from Village Gazzian.
Rahul Yadav inspected the polyhouse operations and the innovative agricultural techniques being employed by Mahesh Choudhary. During the visit, the Mission Director shared the Agro-Tourism concept with Mahesh Choudhary, which aims to integrate tourism with farming to promote sustainable agricultural practices and boost local tourism.
Following this, Rahul Yadav visited Choudhary’s farm, where he observed the various farming practices and techniques being utilized. Rahul Yadav also visited SM Farm Kotli, where the Mission Director inspected the ongoing work and projects at the farm.
The tour concluded with a visit to the Potato Seed Village at Village Arnia, where the Mission Director inspected the ongoing initiatives related to seed potato production, aimed at improving crop quality and boosting the local agriculture economy.
Rahul Yadav expressed his satisfaction over the progress of these projects and emphasized the government's commitment to supporting farmers through innovative agricultural practices, extension services, and infrastructure development.