50 families adopt organic farming in Rajouri village

Over 50 families of small and marginal farmers in Mehra village of Rajouri district have transitioned from conventional agriculture to 100% organic vegetable farming, marking a significant shift toward sustainable practices in the region.

With government assistance, small-scale mountain farmers in Mehra have managed to turn long-standing hardships into improved livelihoods by adopting organic farming methods to meet growing community demand.

Rajesh Verma, Chief Agricultural Officer of Rajouri, said the region is increasingly focusing on sustainable and natural farming practices. He noted that the government has identified specific clusters under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) to promote organic cultivation and is providing training and support to farmers.

“Nowadays, we are focusing on sustainable farming. We have identified clusters for organic farming under HADP and are offering training. As people become more health-conscious, demand for organic produce is rising, and we are encouraging farmers to scale up organic production,” Verma said.

Abid Hussain, a farmer from Mehra village, said that around 50 families in the area have shifted entirely to organic farming. “Due to limited employment opportunities, many youths have taken up vegetable farming,” he said.

Safeena Kousar, a farmer from Nagrota, highlighted the growing popularity of their produce: “Whenever we prepare desi vegetables, people come from faraway places to purchase them. Buyers from different parts of the country prefer organic vegetables from our region.”

Rameez Ahmed, a farmer from Rajouri, said that although organic farming has improved livelihoods, challenges remain. “We earlier practiced traditional farming, but now we have shifted to organic methods and grow all kinds of vegetables. Our village has seen gradual development, but water scarcity and difficulty in obtaining quality seeds still persist,” he said.

Meanwhile, in the border regions of Sunderbani and Nowshera, the Agriculture Department is also promoting 100% organic vegetable farming. Under Centrally-sponsored schemes, farmers in remote border areas are receiving extensive support, including vermi-compost units and polyhouses for protected cultivation. These polyhouses have enabled year-round vegetable production, even during harsh winters.