Himalayan
Jyoti Samiti, had been selected for the TDF program by NABARD for five years,
since 2021 to 2026. This TDF project is situated in Mindal valley of block
Chakrata. Valley has a spectacular terrain of lush green valley, and cold
mountains. Valley is also rich in flora & fauna. The entire project area is
extremely hilly with complex topography. Physiographical character of area are
steep to very steep hill slopes, moderately steep to very steep hill slopes,
hill terraces, hill slopes with pasture and hill slopes with forest cover.
Mindal Valley enjoys a temperate climate due to its high elevation, with long
winters from October to May, and short summers from June to September. Target
area is very backward part of Chakrata block, district Dehradun. The project is
covering 120 families from six gram panchayats. 56 Orchards (WADIs) have
established on half acre and 40 on one acre covering total area of Wadi covered of 68 Acre.
The apple
productivity in India is 7-8 tons per hectare whereas globally in countries
like Australia, New Zealand, USA and European countries it ranges from 35 to 40
tons per hectare. Even in China, it is 2.5 times more than India. Though the
climatic conditions and farming techniques in the countries are different, but a lot can be
done and productivity can be doubled from the present production if India
adopts an approach which is integrated in nature. There are some fundamental
problems in the apple growing regions of Chakrata valley spanning from scarcity
of water, absence of good agricultural practices, absence of technological
solutions, ineffective management of apple orchards, lack of quality training
and capacity building etc. A holistic solution is needed which could address
the larger issues of the region and would bring changes in the lives of the
community.
The
productivity level of apple in District is 3-4 metric ton per hectare compare
to up to six metric ton per hectare in the state. This is basically fact that most
of the orchards of this remote district are either unscientifically managed or
are raised on old varieties.
The
fundamental problems contributing to such lower productivity are:-
1.
Inadequate
of technological solutions
2.
Poor
management of apple orchards
3.
Lack
of quality training and capacity building etc.
4.
Lack
of linkages and transportation facilities
Himalayan
Jyoti Samiti is implementing TDF project with a holistic solution which is addressing the larger issues of the area and would bring changes in the lives
of the community by promoting orchard (WADI) development through scientific
manner. Each WADI
have uniform pattern with 80 % apple plants (main crop) and 20% Plum/Peach plants (boarder plants) on 1 Acre & 0.5 Acre of land
with farmers having 0.5 Acre or more land holding. Farmers with proposed Wadi have also offered other livelihood
activities like protected cultivation, vegetable cultivation, nursery growing,
floriculture, cultivation of off season vegetables, medicinal and aromatic
plant cultivation & intercropping etc.
Main
major components of the program are as follows:
- Development of Apple Orchard for livelihood
- Livelihood through
development of Goatery
- Livelihood through
development of Poultry
- Livelihood through
development of Dairy
- Development of Off Season vegetables
- Cultivation of Honey bee
- Water Resource Development
- Soil Conservation
- Intercropping
- Fencing of Orchards
- Training and capacity building
HJS went through as per the
strategy for the success of the program & following is the progress of two
years duration as follows:
The
sapling selected for plantation are union of stock with scion at least 15-20 cm
above the ground level. Sapling is one year old after grafting on seedlings and
root stocks. Varieties are selected from best suited for the area and are being
used by apple growers in other parts of Uttarakhand state.
Following table shows the varieties of apple plants provided to farmers
for orchard development:
|
Category |
Varieties |
|
Spur Type |
Super Chief, Scarlet Spur 1&2/
Early red-1, Red velox , Zeromine, Oregon spur II, Well spur, Silver spur |
|
Standard Varieties |
Royal Delicious, Top Red, Vance
Delicious |
|
Pollinating |
Gale Gala, Red Gold, Redlum Gala,
Grainy Smith (Green Apple) Golden Delicious etc |
Procurement of
Fertilizers and Pesticides:
Bio-fertilization
of crops with plant growth promoting micro organisms is currently considered as
a healthy alternative to chemical fertilization. Bio-fertilizers are microbial
preparations containing living cells of different micro organisms which have
the ability to mobilize plant nutrients in soil from unusable to usable form.
They are environmentally friendly, play a significant role in the crop
production, help to build up the lost micro flora and improve the soil health.
Also, they increase crop yield by 20%-30%, stimulate plant growth, are cost
effective and provide optimal conditions for soil biological activity. They
suppress pathogenic soil organisms, restore natural soil fertility and provide
protection against drought and some soil borne diseases. Moreover, they degrade
toxic organic chemicals, improve seed germination and aid in balancing soil pH
in reducing soil erosion. HJS is promoting chemical free farming in the project
area. Animal husbandry in tribal area is part of agrarian economy and there is
heavy production of Farm Yard Manure. Farmers are using organic manure on their
orchards.
The
predominant soil in the project area is sandy loam to clay loam, generally very
rich in organic matter and neutral in reaction. Available phosphorus and
potassium are medium to high. Soils are well suitable for apple, plum &
peach plantation. Beneficiaries selected under this project have agreed to do
the soil conservation activities through MNREGA or by self- expense with very
little support. Under proposed project, soil testing of total 96 farmers has
been done in the first year and as per the report of soil, testing has also
started in the field for enrichment of soil.
Water Resource Development:
Water is an
important factor in a successfully wadi which effects the plant growth and
productivity. There are plenty of natural water resources around the villages
on upper side which can provide irrigation facilities to the new orchards. The
main water sources are natural fountain, which provide water to the habitation
around the year. All these sources are untapped and needs to be harvested
properly. There is need to channelize these water resources and construct water
storage structures in the village. To ensure the supply of water of irrigation
water to each wadi, under this program, water storage structures (PVC Tanks) of
minimum 500 liters storage capacity will be provided in the second years..
Intercrop:
Farmers has started intercropping and grew vegetables and pulses as intercrop between apple plantations which will
provide an early return from the WADI immediately within six months of planting
orchard. It helps in
sustainability and motivation of farmers. Good quality seeds for these crops has been given to the farmers along with
fertilizers and plant protection material. Emphasis has given on natural farming.
Fencing:
Barbed wire
fencing has
been provided to the farmers to keep safe their orchards from outsiders
specifically with domestic & wild animals.
Wadi Training/capacity building of farmers towards Orchard development
Two kinds
of trainings have been given to WADI farmers as wadi related training and
Micro-enterprise training. Training programs have been designed in consultation
with various Government institutions providing trainings on related activities.
Trainings
through Awareness
camps & wadi farmers sensitization towards orchard development, Orchard
layout, transplantation and Intercropping, Package of Practices and INM, Exposure
visit for 96 Wadi farmers, Experience Sharing Workshops, Printing of
WADI reference materials and field Brochures, marketing of produces
etc. has been proposed and given the farmers in the first year of the
project period.
Expected Output and Production
Horticulture
plantation will be completed during1st and2nd year of project duration on an
area of 68 acre of cultivable land. Apple plantation of about 20440 saplings
will be done on about 68 acre which will start production from 3rd year in case
of root stock plantation and 5thYear in case of seedling. Production of around
28000 Kg i.e. about 1500 boxes is expected from 5th year, which will be around
42000 to 55000 Kg in fifteenth year. It will defiantly strengthen the socio
economic condition of farmers in Mindal Valley. Farmers will also learn modern
techniques of orchard management. One Farmer Producer organization has already
formed in the project area through NABARD schemes. Society will provide
marketing assistance to the whole program through developing marketing linkages
for the farm produce. FPO will be trained in marketing, grading and packing of apple.
Non Wadi Component under TDF Program:-
Total 03 trades, goatery, poultry & Dairy
are Non wadi components, which have been supported under TDF program at Mindal
valley. Total 24 landless families were benefitted including 10 for goatery, 07
for poultry & 07 for dairy.
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