ADB reviews HP SHIVA project in Mandi

A high-level team from the Asian Development Bank is currently on a field visit to Mandi district to conduct a mid-term review of the Himachal Pradesh Sub-Tropical Horticulture, Irrigation and Value Addition (HP SHIVA) Project — an ambitious initiative aimed at strengthening the rural economy through horticulture development.

The visiting delegation, led by project team leader Dennis Lopez, includes experts Brando Angels, Prachi Sharma and Dinesh Godiyal. The team is assessing on-ground implementation, infrastructure quality and community participation across various project clusters.

According to Dr Sanjay Gupta, Deputy Director, Horticulture, the ADB team undertook a two-day intensive visit, inspecting multiple clusters to evaluate progress of the project.

The team visited Bhambla cluster in Gopalpur block on the first day, followed by Khagran and Palohta-2 clusters in Sundernagar block, and Tamroh cluster in Balh block on the second day. During these visits, officials closely examined the implementation status of the project and interacted with local stakeholders.

A key part of the inspection involved reviewing the quality of infrastructure developed under the project. The ADB team also held detailed meetings with members of Cluster Horticulture Producer Management Associations (CHPMAs) and Water User Associations (WUAs), assessing their role in cluster development and governance.

The delegation engaged directly with beneficiary farmers to understand how the HP SHIVA project had impacted their livelihoods and income levels. Farmers shared feedback on improvements in productivity and discussed future requirements, including potential support from the ADB to achieve the target of doubling their income.

One of the key highlights of the visit was a proposal to introduce a monorail-based pilot project in the Palohta-2 cluster. The ADB team sought farmers’ consent and suggestions regarding the initiative, which aims to simplify the transportation of agricultural inputs and harvested produce in hilly terrain.

Officials indicated a positive outlook towards implementing this innovative system, which could significantly reduce labour and improve efficiency in farm logistics.

As part of the project’s next phase, the team also visited PCDO Harabag in Sundernagar block, where a Farmer Enterprise Innovation Centre is proposed. This centre is envisioned as a hub for modern training, technical support and entrepreneurship development for horticulturists.

The ADB team expressed keen interest in the selected site and appreciated the progress achieved so far under the HP SHIVA project, calling it a crucial step towards a “horticulture revolution” in the state.

The inspection was attended by senior officials from the horticulture and Jal Shakti departments, including Dr Ramal Angaria, Assistant Project Director, Dr Rajesh Sharma, DC, HP SHIVA, Mandi Zone-2, and national horticulture expert Dr Som Dev Sharma.

Technical and social experts such as Prashant Srivastava, CS06 team leader, LR Panda, social safeguard expert, along with horticulture development officers and cluster in-charges, were also present during the visit of the ADB team.

The HP SHIVA project, supported by the ADB, aims to transform the horticulture sector in Himachal Pradesh by improving irrigation, value addition and market access. The ongoing review is expected to further refine strategies and ensure effective implementation, ultimately enhancing farmers’ incomes and strengthening rural livelihoods.