J&K HADP bags prestigious Skoch Gold award for excellence

Jammu, Dec 2: The Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), a flagship initiative of J&K Agriculture Production Department, has been conferred with the Skoch Gold Award for Excellence in recognition of its impactful implementation and transformative outcome in the agricultural sector.

The conception of HADP was driven by the visionary leadership of Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, while the Principal Secretary, Agriculture Production Department, Shailendra Kumar, has been the cornerstone behind its robust implementation on the ground. The award was received by Mission Director, HADP.

This ambitious Rs 5,013 crore programme, comprising 29 projects in agriculture and allied sectors, was formulated by the Apex Committee constituted by the Lieutenant Governor and the roadmap was approved by the UT Administrative Council headed by the Lieutenant Governor, J&K. HADP was dedicated to the public by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, on 7 March 2024 in Srinagar. Since its launch, HADP has garnered unparalleled public participation, with Rs over 2 lakh registrations and 3.4 lakh applications received under 120 beneficiary oriented schemes in agriculture and allied sectors.

The programme has reached unprecedented heights through the Kisan Sampark Abhiyan, touching the lives of 9 lakh people across 4000 Panchayats in Jammu & Kashmir. This makes it the largest farmer outreach initiative in the region, delivering critical information, training, and resources directly to the farming community.

In a major stride towards accessibility, 500 Kisan Khidmat Ghars (Farmer Service Centers) have been launched under Phase I, with 1,500 more in the pipeline. These centers serve as a one-stop solution for farmers, offering services ranging from farm inputs to expert advisories and real-time updates.

The Skoch Award stands as a testament to transformative vision and robust implementation of HADP, signalling a new era for Jammu & Kashmir’s agricultural landscape. With its inclusive, participatory approach, the programme is fostering sustainable growth, enhancing productivity and improving livelihoods in the region.