In the quiet hills of Doda, where terraced fields cling to the mountains and the rhythm of life follows the seasons, a quiet transformation was taking root. At the Community Hall, farmers from across the district gathered for a two-day conference-workshop organised by the Department of Agricultural Production and Farmers' Welfare under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture.
The theme,"Strengthening Sustainable Agriculture through Climate-Smart Practices and Improved Farm Productivity" echoed through the hall. Among the attendees was Basharat Ali Malik. Malik is a farmer whose journey began in 2006. Malik listened carefully as experts spoke about different topics. They spoke on subsidies, polyhouses, and modern cultivation techniques.
He also expressed his thoughts. Malik said: "I earn between Rs 5 lakh-6 lakh annually from farming," he shared."These schemes have made a real difference. We are not just surviving -- we are growing."
The room buzzed with interest. For many younger farmers, Basharat was proof that agriculture, when supported and modernised, could be both sustainable and profitable. On the stage, Mushroom Development Officer Susheel Rattan Sharma addressed the gathering.
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