Dr. Parveen Kumar
Dr. Raj Kumar
Agriculture landscapes in hilly regions and the farming community practicing farming in these regions face unique challenges. They are being confronted with peculiar issues which include mono-cropping, low yields, weather aberrations, market inaccessibility and other related problems. The hill agro-ecosystems are more vulnerable to rising temperature and suffer from soil loss, land degradation and unsustainable agricultural practices. These agro-ecosystems mostly fall in the rain fed regions which are very vital for ensuring food and nutritional security of the masses living in the country. Farming thus needs to be protected, productive and profitable in these regions.
Diversification is an important strategy to increase income especially of small farm holdings which constitute 85% of the total land holdings in the country. Dr. Raj Kumar, Sr. Scientist and Nodal Officer of KVK-Ramban said that through crop diversification, farming households can spread production and economic risk over a broader range of crops thereby reducing financial risks associated with unfavorable weather or market shocks. He said that diversification with high value crops is a promising strategy in increasing farm incomes especially of small farms. Dr. Parveen Kumar SMS (Ag. Extension) at KVK Ramban while highlighting the role of diversification in increasing farm income told that crop diversification is the addition of new crops or cropping systems to agricultural production on a particular farm taking into account the different returns from value added crops with complementary marketing opportunities. Additionally, the inclusion of a new variety of crops in some areas can lead to the development of new farm based industries, leading to creation of employment opportunities for youths of the region and improving the economic potential of a rural community. He further told that due to very small size of land holdings accompanied by mono-cropping in this district, the cost of cultivation of different crops here often exceeds the net returns and thus farming community feels betrayed and want to quit farming community.
KVK-Ramban thus came up with the intervention of introducing strawberry as an additional crop in the farming landscape of the region. About 20 Front Line Demonstrations (FLDs) on Strawberry covering 20 farmers from different villages of the district were provided to the farming community in the year 2023-24. The strawberry variety provided to the farmers was Chandler. The berries from Chandler produce large sweet fruit and are best for kitchen gardens and have higher yields. All the FLDs have started bearing fruits and the farming community is expecting a very good harvest upon maturity. Dr. Raj Kumar also said that the strawberry crop in the demonstration farm of the KVK-Ramban at Dhalwas has started ripening. Many farmers of the region are coming to see these berries which also give a unique look to the KVK-Ramban farm. KVK-Ramban will soon start sale of these berries in the market.
Strawberry crop and fruit at KVK-Ramban Demonstration Farm
Dr. Parveen Kumar further said that the strawberry produced is totally safe and free from harmful chemicals as the farm of KVK-Ramban is totally organic and different crops are raised by natural farming techniques. The cultivation of strawberry by the farming community of the region will also lead to a more varied and healthier food for human and livestock. It will also ensure nutritional security for the peoples especially children and young girls in this hilly terrain which otherwise has reported to be having comparatively more incidence of hunger and malnutrition.
