DR BANARSI LAL
Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is bestowed with natural beauty and located between 32.17 and 37.06 North latitude and 73.2 and 80.36 East longitude in the Himalayan region. It has 1069 mm average annual rainfall in sub-tropical Jammu region and 660mm in temperate valley respectively. The average temperatures of these two regions are 24.5 and 13.3 centigrade respectively. J&K is endowed with ample natural resources including soil, water, climatic condition, diversity, topography, rich natural flora etc. which are conducive for the cultivation of a wide range of flowers. J&K is considered as the paradise on the earth because of its natural glamour.
It is a mountainous Union Territory in which Jammu region is predominantly sub-tropical while Kashmir region is temperate. This beautiful territory is characterized by benevolent people, scenic natural beauty, natural waterfalls, folded mountains, alpine pastures, lush green forests, rich wild life, snow clad fields, carpet green turfs, gushing fountains, lofty skying grounds, charming gardens, cool pollution free fresh air, fresh cool water, shimmering lakes, apple orchards etc. J&K has huge potential in floriculture industry due to varied agro-climate and ecological conditions. Different types of commercially important flowers can be produced in the region and J&K can lead in quality flowers production in India because of congenial atmosphere for floriculture.
Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir is an abode of Mata Vaishno Devi and is blessed with an immense natural beauty and vast biodiversity. Being the hub of religious spots, Reasi district has an immense scope in floriculture.
Bhakta village is about 5 km away from world famous religious place Katra in Reasi district of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. There are around 210 families in the village. The major occupation of the people is agriculture and there is a natural source of irrigation in the village where the marigold cultivation can be possible.
There is one Govt. Middle school, One Private Middle School and one Panchayat Ghar in the village. There are many progressive floriculturists in the village who are producing the marigold flowers at a commercial level. Initially the villagers were growing maize, wheat and few local varieties of vegetables as their forefathers were doing.
They were using the traditional agricultural technologies in their fields and monkeys and wild boars were the great threats in their fields. All the agricultural produce was consumed by their families with very little surplus to sell. Their farming system was deteriorating and they were unable to mitigate the basic needs of their families. Some rural youths of the village were on the threshold to leave the agriculture profession. Some of them were migrating towards urban areas for employment.
Initially the rural youths of Bhakta village were doing the unscientific agriculture on a small scale. They were endouvering to increase their farm income. They were using the local resources and were growing the maize, wheat, pulses, cereals, fruits, vegetables, marigold etc. with the traditional methods resulting in the poor yield of the crops.
They were lacking the scientific knowledge in agriculture. Then the rural youths of the village came in contact with the KVK, Reasi. KVK, Reasi became a ray of hope for these rural youths. KVK scientists started regularly visiting their farms and developed a good rapport with the rural youths of this village.
The rural youths of the village were guided and motivated for the scientific marigold cultivation under ARYA project. They were encouraged for commercial marigold cultivation. KVK, Reasi organised the trainings/awareness programmes/kisan ghosties/exposure visits/farmers-scientist interaction etc. on commercial floriculture for the rural youths of Bhakta village and adjoining villages of Reasi distt of J&K.
The KVK work was synergised by the Department of Floriculture and line deptts. KVK, Reasi scientists also laid Front Line Demonstrations (FLDs) on marigold crop in the village. The technical guidelines on marigold cultivation were provided to the farmers under ARYA project.
The farmers were fascinated by observing the results of FLDs on marigold crop and they showed keen interest in the adoption of new technologies for marigold crop. Scientific cultivation of marigold changed their life. KVK, Reasi introduced new varieties of marigold in the area and gave scientific recommendations on commercial marigold farming. Marigold cultivation helped to overcome the problem of monkey menace in the village as the crop is not damaged by the monkeys. They were also guided on the recycling of waste flowers under ARYA project.
ARYA project proved a boon for him and changed his fate.Initially rural youths of Bhakta village rural youths were growing only maize, wheat, pulses and few vegetables by using the traditional technologies and they were lacking the technical skills and knowledge on agriculture. There was heavy infestation of monkey menace, diseases and insects-pests and farmers were earning very less as their crops productivity was low but with the commercial marigold cultivation they raised their annual income.
By growing the marigold crop, the rural youths are generating more income and employment as compared to their traditional farming by which their socio-economic status improved.By observing the successful results of marigold crop in Bhakta village, the other rural youths from different villages of the district villages such as Chamba Chandua, Dadura,Gern, Kaulsar, Bhabber, Kanjali, Sool etc. are also showing keen interest in marigold cultivation.
With the introduction of scientific technologies for marigold cultivation the rural youths are able to generate extra income and employment. With the generation of extra income, the farmers developed confidence to mitigate their basic problems. A self- reliance and entrepreneurial spirit has been developed among the rural youths. Their new attitude towards scientific marigold cultivation has been developed.
They have developed a good rapport with the KVK scientists, extension officers from line departments and also participate in the agricultural extension activities conducted by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Reasi and other line departments. Number of farmers including Shaukat Ali, a progressive floriculturist in the village was highly impressed with the technical guidelines given by the KVK scientists and presently he is guiding the other floriculturist of the area on commercial marigold cultivation.
He grows marigold in about 50 Kanals of the area. He has established one vermicompost unit at his home. He also used vermicompost in his marigold crop. There are many other rural youths in the area who have become entrepreneurs in floriculture like Sh.Shaukat Ali.
They used to sale their marigold flowers in local areas, at world famous place Katra, Udhampur and even in Jammu. They also make floral garlands and also do decorations work in the marriage ceremonies and other events in the area which help them to fetch more returns. Now the village rural youths have developed confidence in themselves and they are having lot of credibility on KVK scientists and line department officials as from to time they provide technical advice on commercial marigold cultivation.
The village rural youths have become an example of success and motivating factor for other rural youths in adjoining villages. KVK scientists also motivated other rural youths of the area for the commercial floriculture as it can change their socio-economic status. Many other rural youths of the area are also coming forward for the commercial cultivation of floriculture. Rural youths of Bhakta village have been appreciated by Hon’ble DDG, ICAR, Dr.Udham Singh Gautam, Ex-Director Extension of SKUAST-J, Dr.S.K. Gupta during the various extension activities conducted by KVK, Reasi. Shail Singh, a progressive floriculturist of Kanjali village was felicitated by the Hon’ble Union Minister of India, Jatinder Singh in a farmer fair organised by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Reasi of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Jammu (SKUAST-J). He was also appreciated by the Ex-Director General of the ICAR, Dr. S. Ayappan and Hon’ble Ex-Vice Chancellor of SKUAST-Jammu Dr.P.K.Sharma and Dr.JP Sharma for his efforts on commercial floriculture during their visits at KVK, Reasi. He was also awarded with the Progressive Farmer Award by the SKUAST-J during the Kisan Mela organised by SKUAST-J in March, 2021. Smt. Maya Devi, a woman farmer from the same village was also appreciated by the Hon’ble Ex-Director General of the ICAR, Dr.S. Ayappan for her efforts for commercial floriculture during his visit at KVK, Reasi. KVK, Reasi is making strenuous efforts for the farmers’ welfare through commercial floriculture in the hilly district Reasi of Jammu and Kashmir. ARYA project has proved a boon to the rural youths of the area.
(The writer is Sr. Scientist & Head of KVK, Reasi (Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology-Jammu).