Zubair Ahmed Sohail of Ramban is turning government assistance into a sustainable source of income by combining horticulture, fruit cultivation and poultry farming under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP). With guidance from the Departments of Horticulture, Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Sohail gradually expanded his farming activities. Initially, he obtained fruit plants from the Horticulture Department and later diversified into poultry farming with support for a poultry shed and fencing. Polyhouse facilities further helped him expand cultivation. His farm now spans around 30–35 kanals and features several fruit varieties, including apples, kiwi, peaches, plums, apricots and olives. He has also established a nursery with departmental assistance under an 80:20 funding arrangement. The expanding enterprise has created employment opportunities for local workers and involved several members of his family. Around seven to eight people are associated with the farm’s operations, contributing to household income and local livelihood generation. Sohail expressed gratitude to the administration for implementing schemes that support farmers in developing sustainable agricultural businesses. He encouraged others to approach the concerned departments, understand the available benefits and make productive use of their land. His journey highlights how government support, agricultural diversification and individual initiative can strengthen rural livelihoods, promote self-reliance and create employment opportunities in Jammu and Kashmir.
