A Farmer’s Journey to Success Through Heritage/Niche Crop Cultivation

Mr. Mohammed Maqbool Bhat is from New Theed area of District Srinagar and has passion for agriculture, horticulture and allied fields. He owns paddy land of 0.8 ha, fruit orchard of 1.5 ha, Vermicompost unit and rears sheep and cattle at his courtyard. The farmer is first and only producer of Red (Zag) and scented (Mushkibudji) rice in district Srinagar. The farmer also produces off-season vegetable and flower seedlings as well as bonsai floriculture/forest trees in containers. He has been associated with KVK Srinagar since 2023 and attended many training programmes on canopy management of fruit crops, hi-tech nursery management of horticulture crops, vermicomposting and scientific beekeeping.

KVK Intervention

KVK Srinagar provided time-to-time hands on trainings, guidance, support and valuable insights.

Adopted him for laying OFT’s and FLD’s at his field.

Helped him in making me skilled pruner, successful nursery holder, sheep/ Dairy farmer and also skilled Scented/Zag rice producer

Introduced him to high density orcharding and latest apple, pear, cherry, grape and kiwi varieties.

Provide seed, inputs and technology for producing Red (Zag) and scented (Mushkibudji) rice in district Srinagar.

Provided feedback and constructive criticism to help me in continuously improving and growing.

Innovation / Initiative

Initially supplied his products to locals in his area.

KVK Srinagar gave opportunity to sell his produce at Seed cum Technology Mela at SKUAST-K.

The farmer has now become successful nursery grower of horticulture crops.

The farmer is now a skilled pruner of Hi and Low-Density fruit orchards and earns employment.

Socio-Economic Impact:

The Red/ Mushkibudji Rice, Fruit Nursery Plants, Bonsai Forest/ Flower Trees and Off-Season Vegetables/ Flower Seedlings has high demand in market and has turnover of more than 7 Lacs (Table 1).

The continuous association of Mr. Mohammed Maqbool Bhat with KVK Srinagar, SKUAST-Kashmir has resulted in significant economic upliftment, livelihood diversification, skill development and social recognition. The interventions of KVK have transformed him from a small traditional farmer into a progressive Integrated Farming System (IFS) farmer and the only producer of Red (Zag) and Scented (Mushkibudji) rice in District Srinagar.

Adoption of scientific crop production technologies, diversified enterprises and value-based farming has substantially increased his farm income. During 2024–25, his integrated enterprises generated a gross return of ₹13.73 lakhs with a net income of ₹7.21 lakhs and an overall B:C ratio of 2.10, indicating high economic viability. Enterprises such as sheep rearing (B:C 3.48), vermicomposting (2.71), Mushkibudji & Zag rice (2.53), fruit nursery (2.41), and bonsai & landscaping plants (2.40) significantly enhanced profitability. His dependence on a single crop has reduced, ensuring year-round income and financial stability.

The integrated farming model has created self-employment for Mr. Maqbool Bhat and additional employment opportunities for local youth and laborers, particularly in fruit nursery raising, pruning services, sheep and dairy management, vermicomposting and seedling production. His skill as a trained pruner of high- and low-density orchards has enabled him to earn additional income through service provision in nearby villages.

Through regular trainings, capacity building programmes, OFTs, FLDs and hands-on guidance by KVK Srinagar, the farmer has developed expertise in scientific production of Red (Zag), Mushkibudji rice, fruits; nursery management, vermicomposting, scientific sheep and dairy farming, off-season vegetable and flower seedling production This capacity building has empowered him to adopt advanced technologies and improve farm efficiency.

Mr. Maqbool Bhat has emerged as a role model farmer in the Srinagar district. His success has enhanced his social status, confidence and leadership role in the farming community. Participation in Seed cum Technology Mela at SKUAST-K has helped him gain market exposure and recognition. Farmers from surrounding areas frequently visit his farm for guidance, making him an informal extension agent.

The diversified Integrated Farming System has improved resource recycling, soil health and sustainability through vermicomposting and mixed enterprises. Promotion of traditional rice varieties like Mushkibudji and Zag has contributed to biodiversity conservation, nutritional security and preservation of local heritage crops.

His success story clearly demonstrates the crucial role of KVK interventions in transforming small farmers into successful agri-entrepreneurs.

Table.1: Operating cost, gross return, net return and BC ratio of various enterprises of Mr. Mohd. Maqbool Bhat during the year 2024-25.  

Year	Enterprise	Operating cost	Gross Return	Net returns	BC Ratio
2024-25	Mushkbudji & Zag	37000	93500	56500	2.53
	Wheat & Oats	13800	24500	10700	1.78
	Fruit crops	296000	490500	194500	1.66
	Fruit nursery	65000	156800	91800	2.41
	Flower and vegetable seedlings	16500	40500	24000	2.45
	Off season vegetables	22600	45000	22400	1.99
	Bonsai and other landscaping plants	33500	80500	47000	2.40
	Vermi-composting	52500	142500	90000	2.71
	Sheep	56000	195000	139000	3.48
	Diary	60000	105000	45000	1.75
Total		652900	1373800	720900	2.10

Details of the entrepreneur 

Name Mr. Mohammed Maqbool Bhat

Age 45

Address Theed Harwan

Qualification 8th Pass

Mobile 9797372895

KVK KVK Srinagar, SKUAST-Kashmir

Background / Situation

 

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