From barren to bountiful: Pritam’s orchard blossoms into a rural success story

A once-barren patch of land in Kaned Gram Panchayat, Dharamsala Development Block, has blossomed into a symbol of rural transformation and self-reliance, thanks to a successful apple plantation initiative under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

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Nestled in Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district, the story of Pritam Chand is one of resilience, innovation and empowerment. His unproductive land has been transformed into a thriving apple orchard, providing him not just a steady income, but also newfound respect within his community. Selling apples in local markets, Pritam has achieved financial independence — emerging as a beacon of hope for small and marginal farmers in the region.

But this is more than just a tale of economic upliftment. Pritam’s journey is rooted in environmental stewardship. Embracing natural farming methods, he now advocates for sustainable agriculture in his village, inspiring others to adopt eco-friendly practices.

Reflecting on the journey, Abhineet Katyayan, then Block Development Officer (BDO) of Dharamsala, shared with The Tribune: “In 2020-21, Pritam Chand’s land was selected for an apple plantation under MGNREGA. With a project cost of Rs 1 lakh — including Rs 52,074 for labour — 330 apple saplings were planted over 0.4 hectares.”

Today, those saplings stand tall and fruitful. In the very first harvest, Pritam earned Rs 30,000 from 250 kg of apples, with nearly half the produce still on the trees. The Royal and Golden varieties he cultivates are now a point of pride — and proof of his hard work.

This initiative, supported by the Rural Development Department, highlights the untapped potential of horticulture-based livelihoods in Kangra, a region traditionally focused on wheat and rice. Encouraged by Pritam’s success, the department now plans to expand apple and blueberry plantations as strategic interventions for poverty alleviation and employment generation.

Pritam’s transformation — from a marginal farmer to a successful horticulturist — stands as a powerful example of MGNREGA’s impact when aligned with innovation and local engagement. His story is already inspiring neighbouring villages to explore plantation-based farming and sustainable practices.