Jammu & Kashmir's horticulture sector has now become a source of misery for farmers. The High-Density Horticulture Scheme, introduced to boost fruit production and uplift small and marginal farmers, is now marred by allegations of corruption, exploitation, and official apathy.
Farmers who invested their hard-earned money, took loans, and even sold land to participate in the government-backed initiative are now struggling. Instead of benefiting from the scheme, they are facing overpricing, substandard materials, and withheld subsidies. Private empaneled entrepreneurs (PEs), tasked with implementing the scheme, are accused of exploiting the very people the initiative was meant to support.
Social activist Tariq Aziz Dar, a resident of Pulwama and a victim of the alleged scam, has raised serious concerns about the role of these private players. According to him, PEs have manipulated the scheme’s norms, drastically reducing the number of plants per kanal, inflating prices, and unjustly withholding subsidies. Many farmers have also complained that PEs are refusing to issue the necessary No Objection Certificates (NOCs), leaving them in financial distress.
"We see reports of farmers' suffering in newspapers and on TV every day, yet no one is taking strict action. If the government does not intervene immediately, the situation will worsen, and farmers will be pushed into deeper financial crises," says Dar.
Despite repeated complaints to the Director of Horticulture, Chief Horticulture Officer, and other authorities, no concrete action has been taken to address the growing concerns.
The affected farmers and activists are now calling for immediate government intervention and have listed the following demands.A thorough investigation into the alleged corruption in the High-Density Horticulture Scheme.Strict action against private entrepreneurs found guilty of overcharging and providing substandard materials.Timely release of subsidies that are currently stuck due to unjustified delays in issuing NOCs.Greater accountability and transparency in the implementation of the scheme to prevent further exploitation.
Tariq Aziz Dar has appealed to @Waheed Para, @Omar Abdullah, and the Hon’ble Horticulture Minister to take immediate action to safeguard farmers’ interests.
With thousands of farmers affected, the urgency for intervention cannot be overstated. If the government does not act swiftly, the very people who sustain J&K’s horticulture sector may find themselves in irreversible financial ruin.