Srinagar, Dec 01: Gowhar Ali Lone is an innovative farmer who practices integrated farming and has introduced pro tray farming in Kashmir yielding high profits through diversification.
A resident of Khonchipora, Tangmarg, he started pro-tray farming in 2018. He used a slab of his house and one kanal of agricultural land for the same which changed his fortune.
The 27-year-old learned the pro-tray or vertical framing by watching videos of the same on YouTube and was quick to implement the same at his home.
“The cultivable land is declining due to overpopulation. We can grow all kinds of vegetables in pro trays without land. It is a condition-controlled farming method and trays absorb only the needed water when it rains,” he said.
Gowhar grows many vegetables like potatoes, tomatoes, brinjal, Shimla chilli, cauliflower, and other vegetables and sells the vegetables locally.
He is very innovative in nature and has leadership qualities to motivate village youth for entrepreneurship development in the agriculture sector.
Gowhar practices integrated farming and earns high profits through diversification of enterprises. He annually earns Rs 7 lakh for agriculture produce.
He has adopted vertical farming of potatoes. His integrated organic farming model has become very popular in the farming community.
Besides the vegetables, he has also introduced the Vanaraja (a dual-purpose chicken variety) breed of poultry and is earning good profit.
Poultry manure produced in his farm is being utilized in the farm which has reduced the cost of fertilizer and improved soil health. He also produces compost for mushrooms.
“I have also innovated new feeding trenches for a herd of 130 sheep and goats by modification of wooden structure to save wastage of feed,” he said.
In 2007 the progressive farmer also grew mushrooms in 500 trays using ready made compost. He is also growing popular and babul trees as part of agroforestry.
Gowhar has participated in several training programs in agriculture and allied fields. In 2021, he received the Innovative Farmer Award by Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi for his contribution in agriculture and allied sectors.
Many farmers and youth visit his home to take a glimpse of his success and many have followed his footsteps. His interest in agriculture and hard labour made him a progressive farmer.
“The organic farming and its produce has provided a viable income to me which encourages me to do more hard work. Farming is an excellent example for my financial security,” he said.
Gowhar also received an award of appreciation by Lieutenant Governor J&K, Manoj Sinha in recognition for promotion of mushroom in district Baramulla.
The Agriculture Department Kashmir has been working to encourage farmers to adopt pro tray or vertical framing which could be done without having land.
Tahir Ahmad Tahir, Agriculture Extension Assistant Agriculture Department Kashmir, said pro tray method of raising seedling is an effective way for commercial production because of better establishment of raising nursery in pro trays rather than that of nursery bed.
“We need to make people aware as the agricultural land is in decline. In the pro tray, we need less land and there are chances of high production unlike the horizontal framing,” he said.
Tahir advised farmers to go for pro-tray farming, especially in urban areas where there is limited agricultural land available, adding that even landless people can do it.
