Shahpur apple grower sets example for others

Ashok Raina

Kangra, June 18

Setting an example for progressive farmers, Karma Chand, a resident of Dargela village near Shahpur, abandoned traditional farming and took to apple cultivation.

After retirement from the CRPF in 2008, Karma Chand successfully implemented result-oriented schemes of the state government. He planted 500 saplings of apples two years ago following advice from horticulture department officials. His efforts have started showing results as the apples have started growing in a natural way.

Karma Chand said when he started farming after retirement, he was trying to do something different. He wanted to start some work which would strengthen his economic condition and he found support from his family.

Karma Chand said his orchard was under supervision of Sanjay Gupta and Sanjeev Katoch, horticulture experts.

Motivated by him, his two brothers also planted 1,500 apple saplings. He said he was now selling apples at Gaggal and Shahpur at rate of Rs 100-150 per kg. He planted anna and dorset varieties under careful supervision of experts.

Sanjeev Katoch, Horticulture Officer at Rait, said the department provided him a grant of Rs 17,000 for planting apple saplings on 8.5-kanal land.

Daulat Ram Verma, Deputy Director, Horticulture, said large-scale work was being done in Kangra district in apple cultivation and farmers here were taking special interest to become self-sufficient.

Rakesh Kumar Pratapati, Deputy Commissioner, Kangra, said horticulture was the best option for self-employment and the youth were being encouraged by the state government to adopt this practice.