‘Farmer participation in HADP jumps 35% in J&K’

Srinagar, Aug 12: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Tuesday reviewed the progress and impact of the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), noting significant gains in farmer engagement and scheme implementation across Jammu & Kashmir.

Since January, farmer registrations under the five-year programme have jumped 35% to over 3.01 lakh, while total applications rose 33% to 4.92 lakh, officials informed. Of these, 3.48 lakh applications have been approved — a 24% increase.

Reviewing all 29 schemes under HADP, Dulloo urged departments and Deputy Commissioners to sustain momentum and adopt a “whole-of-government” approach to meet targets, describing the programme as a potential game-changer for making J&K’s agriculture and horticulture sectors sustainable, profitable and employment-rich.

Farm Mechanisation and Automation leads scheme uptake with 74,448 approvals, followed by Fodder Resource Development (36,129) and Vegetable/Exotic Vegetable Promotion (33,202). The “DakshKisan” skilling programme has trained nearly 1.95 lakh farmers, with 2.81 lakh courses completed so far.

Officials also briefed the CS on new initiatives, including an end-to-end Project Tracking System, expansion of the Kisan Sathi Portal to integrate CAPEX schemes, and a monitoring system for R&D activities under HADP.

Launched to modernise J&K’s agriculture sector through technology integration, financial support and market linkages, HADP aims to boost farmer incomes, enhance productivity and create rural employment across the UT.