KISHTWAR: The use of farm machinery to enhance farm productivity, reduce manual labour and improve operational efficiency is gradually gaining momentum in Kishtwar District- thanks to the Farm Mechanization and Automation component of Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP). The Agriculture Department is currently providing subsidies ranging from 50% to 90% under various HADP interventions to support and incentivize farmers.
Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma today handed over the keys of a tractor to Muneeb Hussain Sheikh, a beneficiary from the remote village of Astan Gam, Sub Division Marwah. The support was extended under the Farm Mechanization and Automation component of the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) for the year 2025–26.
The Deputy Commissioner interacted with the beneficiary to understand the planned utilization of the machinery and emphasized its potential in enhancing farm productivity, reducing manual labour and improving operational efficiency. The number of individuals having availed the incentive under the scheme has gone up to 6. Five tractors have already been provided to farmers across the district under the scheme, reflecting the administration’s sustained efforts to encourage agricultural mechanization.
The DC encouraged farmers to proactively avail themselves of these schemes, highlighting that mechanized farming is crucial for improving crop output, ensuring timely field operations and achieving cost-effective cultivation. The event was attended by CPO Akhil Thakur; DAO Rajeshwar Singh Rana; SDO Manzoor Ahmed Zarger and other officials of the Agriculture Department.
