In barren Uparli Kothiyan, farmer’s efforts bear fruit

Bishan Das, a resident of Uparli Kothiyan village of Baggulehad panchayat near Nagrota Bagwan has proved that nothing is difficult to a willing heart.

He ventured into horticulture post-retirement to fulfil a long-cherished dream.

Since there is an acute shortage of water in the region, many opined that it was impossible to think of horticulture or agriculture in the area. However, utilising the HP Shiva Project of the Horticulture Department, Das prepared his garden.

“It was only after a check dam was built the under HP Shiva Project that irrigation was possible here,” said Das.

According to him, now 25 hectares of land in three villages are irrigable.

Currently, 70 farmers are taking advantage of this facility. It is anticipated that their number will increase in the coming time. Some 50 guava trees planted by Das bear fruit now.

He proudly shows the kinnow, apple and mango trees, which are ready for the yield.

Das has been working on his orchard since 2018, after retiring from the Indian Oil Corporation. His daughter is a scientist, and both his son and daughter-in-law are doctors. His wife, Shrestha Devi, used to work for the Health Department before retiring.

Despite their tight schedule, the whole family contributes to the garden.

Das’s efforts can prove an inspiration to the urban life-driven youth to, perhaps, adopt farming as a means of livelihood.

“Das is a very hardworking gardener who has been actively involved in setting up of the horticulture cluster in Uparli Kothiyan. Many gardeners have benefited from his enterprise. All the people of the district should take advantage of the schemes of the Horticulture Department,” said Horticulture Department Deputy Director Dr Kamalsheel Negi.