Hybrid varieties transform Kupwara’s Hatchmarg into tomato production hub
Kupwara, Nov 6: Hatchmarg, the picturesque village nestled in the hills of Kupwara has become a symbol of agricultural transformation in the region. Located 25 kilometers from district headquarters Kupwara, Hatchmarg has developed a unique identity and is popularly known as 'tomato village of Kupwara'.
In Hatchmarg, farmers few decades ago used to rely largely on traditional crops such as maize and vegetables grown for household use. The idea of tomato cultivation was almost unfamiliar to them but with time, curiosity, experimentation, and determination the scenario altogether changed and consequently the village began to grow the crop on large scale.
It all started in 2001, when a few progressive farmers experimented with hybrid tomato varieties. "Our success inspired others to shift from traditional farming to commercial cultivation. Every year more and more villagers joined tomato cultivation, learning techniques of seed selection, nursery management, and soil enrichment," Mohammad Sadiq, a local former told Greater Kashmir.
"Over two hundred families in Hatchmarg are associated with tomato cultivation and over 400 kanals of land is dedicated to the cultivation of tomatoes. The crop has become main source of income for most of the families with each earning around Rs 2 lakh annually during the season. The fields, once dominated by maize, now bloom with the vibrant red tomatoes that are known for their size, flavour, and freshness," added Mohammad Sadiq.
The transition to tomato cultivation by locals in Hatchmarg has been supported by the Department of Agriculture, which regularly provides free seeds, manure, greenhouses, and technical guidance. "Field officers frequently visit our village to train us in modern cultivation practices, pest control, and post-harvest management. These techniques have really been helpful to ensure quality and abundant production of tomatoes in our village," said another grower of the village.
An official of Agriculture Department said that the tomatoes of Hatchmarg remain in demand across the district and even beyond. "Farmers carry their produce early in the morning to markets in Kralpora, Kupwara, and Handwara, where they get good rates. Even nearby villages have started to adopt similar practices to that of Hatchmarg," he added.
He said that the pristine atmosphere has been a boon to the abundant tomato cultivation in Hatchmarg and people here including women take pride to cultivate the crop on large scale and earn their livelihood.
"From modest beginnings to becoming the tomato capital of Kupwara, Hatchmarg stands as a living example of how innovation, collective effort, and institutional support can transform a rural economy, turning a small village into a model of self-reliance and agricultural success," he added.
