Rajouri Empowers Farmers with Hi-Tech Polyhouses and Training Institute

Rajouri Chief Agriculture Officer, Sohan Singh, announces the installation of three high-tech polyhouses and the establishment of a farmer training institute in Lamberi to be operational by December. These initiatives aim to boost local agriculture and provide farmers with advanced tools and techniques.

Rajouri Chief Agriculture Officer, Sohan Singh, disclosed on Monday that three high-tech polyhouses will become operational this winter. The move is to benefit local farmers by providing a controlled environment for crops, protecting them from pests and diseases. Installation is already underway. Simultaneously, a farmer training institute in Lamberi is set to open by December, focusing on advanced agricultural techniques and new seed varieties.

Singh highlighted that the department is subsidizing goods, seeds, and chemicals to encourage farmers to adopt innovative farming methods. He also pointed out the subsidies available for agricultural implements. 'We are motivating farmers to experiment with new techniques and new varieties of seeds,' Singh remarked. The polyhouses are expected to provide a significant advantage to the farmers.

'I urge the farmers to take advantage of the schemes,' Singh added, emphasizing that the Lamberi training institute aims to become a model farm offering training on mushroom cultivation, apiculture, and vegetable growth. The institute will be instrumental in equipping farmers with modern farming skills.

Singh also referenced the Holistic Agriculture Development Program (HADP), which Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha termed 'a game-changer for Jammu and Kashmir's agriculture.' This aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's earlier initiatives worth nearly Rs 5,000 crore to boost the region's agri-economy, inaugurated in March.

Polyhouse farming, involving controlled indoor environments typically made from plastic or metal frames with transparent walls and roofs, allows farmers to manage the climate effectively. This method significantly reduces crop losses due to pests and diseases, marking a notable advancement in agricultural practice.