From Market Visitor to Tomato Visionary: One Kashmiri Farmer's Quest

An agricultural revolution is ripening on the vine in the picturesque village of Hatchmarg, nestled just 35 kilometres from Handwara in Kashmir. At the heart of this transformation is Mohammad Sadiq Badhana, a 52-year-old farmer whose journey from traditional cultivation to innovative tomato production is redefining the region's agricultural landscape.

Badhana's odyssey began in 1990 with a fateful visit to Delhi's bustling Azadpur Sabzi Mandi. There, amidst the colourful array of produce, he encountered tomatoes from Dholpur, Rajasthan that outshone their Kashmiri counterparts in size, colour, and flavour—this moment of discovery sparked a vision that would take over a decade to realise.

"Those Dholpur tomatoes were a revelation," Badhana recalls. "They were larger, redder, and more flavorful than anything we were growing back home. I knew then that we had to raise our standards in Kashmir."

Inspired but cautious, Badhana spent the next ten years refining his skills and knowledge. In 2000, he cautiously reintroduced tomato cultivation on a modest 1 kanal plot, using traditional methods.

However, the local market in Kupwara remained unimpressed, pushing Badhana to seek innovative solutions.

The turning point came in 2001 when Badhana's quest for superior seeds led him to a small shop on Srinagar's Court Road. There, he discovered the Avinash 2 hybrid tomato seeds that would change everything.

"Finding those seeds was like striking gold," Badhana says. "I started with just 4 kanals, but the results were beyond my wildest dreams."

The success of his initial crop in the Kralpora market emboldened Badhana to expand dramatically. He increased his cultivation area to 60 kanals, resulting in a bumper harvest that not only met but exceeded the quality of the tomatoes that had inspired him years ago.
This agricultural triumph has had far-reaching effects. Hatchmarg, once a quiet farming village, is now buzzing with activity as other farmers seek to replicate Badhana's success. The influx of revenue from the high-quality tomatoes has boosted the local economy, improving living standards and inspiring a new generation of farmers to think innovatively.

Encouraged by his success, his neighbours and fellow villagers began to explore tomato cultivation themselves. Sadiq Badhana assumed the role of mentor, imparting his knowledge and expertise to those eager to follow in his footsteps. Today, Hatchmarg is renowned for its impressive 400 kanals of tomato cultivation, all stemming from the seeds he initially planted.

The Agricultural Department has played a crucial role in this transformation, providing vital resources such as free seeds, tool kits, greenhouses, manure, and expert guidance. Their frequent visits and workshops have greatly enhanced the villagers’ skills and knowledge.

The impact of this tomato revolution is profound and far-reaching. Each family in Hatchmarg now enjoys an annual income of approximately 2 lakh rupees from their tomato crops. The village’s tomatoes have gained a reputation that extends beyond its borders, marking a significant shift in the agricultural landscape of Kupwara.

His unwavering commitment to tomato cultivation is a testament to the power of vision and perseverance. His journey from a curious farmer to a transformative figure in Hatchmarg exemplifies how determination and innovation can revolutionise a community.