Compared to traditional agriculture practices, modern agriculture practices, such as polyhouse culture, has been a boon to many farmers. Polyhouse culture ensures bountiful crop as it involves less water waste, controlled and protected environment and less efforts making farmers profitable in no time. It is gaining popularity in Kashmir due to its many advantages, including the ability to extend the growing session especially in prolonged winters, increased crop yield and ensures better quality produce.
Polyhouse farming utilizes various techniques to create optimal crop growth conditions, including climate control system, drip irrigation, nutrient management, crop rotation and vertical farming.
Introduction:
Mohammad Ramzan Ganai, a progressive farmer from Bremri Kupwara adopted this modern agriculture. The agriculture season starts from April to October in Kashmir valley. To produce the off season vegetable, almost round the year, Mr. Ramzan thought to start vegetable production in polyhouse. Polyhouses are costly and would be difficult for farmer to purchase and install as the construction cost of this hi-tech polyhouse is around 5-6 lac. In this regard he approached the agriculture department, Kupwara and got the high tech polyhouse on subsidy rate and installed it in 2022.
Presently he is having one high-tech polyhouse of 110 feet long and 50 feet in width installed in his premises, provided to him by department of agriculture Kupwara on subsidy price in which he grows vegetables like chilly, broccoli, cabbage, tomato, cucumber, knoll-khol, capsicum etc. under controlled conditions. He also grows the seedlings of the vegetables and then transfers the seedlings to his open field and also sells seedling to adjoining villages, agriculture workers, other progressive farmers and fetch good amount from it. He also started growing horticulture nursery of all the planting materials, root stock, flower cuttings, succulent flower, strawberry, ornamental plants etc.
Importance for Farmers:
Ramzan’s family members are very supportive and helping him in this polyhouse to reach his goals, especially his son and daughter in law. KVK, Kupwara and Department of Agriculture are supporting him in terms of technology, innovation agriculture methods and bio input preparation. Other farmers, school students, trainees from agriculture department and KVK are visiting his high tech polyhouse and learning technology from him. He has proved that this sort of agriculture will give more scope for profit. He is becoming a role model to all farmers in Kupwara.
He was honored by Hon’ble Vice Chancellor SKUAST-Kashmir, Director Extension SKUAST-Kashmir and Chief Agriculture officer, Kupwara. Everyone in the village appreciates him for his zeal and endeavor.
Now he is earning about 5-6 lakhs/annum from his startup and trying to give a source of income to his family and the women of her village who works under him. Mohd. Ramzan Ganai has not only increased his income but has also become a success story in the area and has become some kind of role model for other farmers to adopt modern agriculture practice which is sustainable and economically beneficial for farmers.
Written by:
Dr. Nazir Ahmed (Scientist Animal Science) KVK-Kupwara, SKUAST-Kashmir
Dr. F A Raina (Scientist Plant Protection) KVK-Kupwara, SKUAST-Kashmir
Dr. K M Malik (Senior Scientist Head) KVK Kupwara, SKUAST-Kashmir
