How can the right use of government schemes change lives? Learn from Kamal Giri’s story

Kamal Giri, who once used to run a small shop in the village, is now cultivating apples, kiwi, peaches, apricots and vegetables on 35 naali land. This success of Kamal Giri (35), a resident of Dudhpokhara village in Champawat, is no less than a film story. But the main character in this is his hard work and the right use of government schemes. Now other people are also coming forward to produce apples, taking inspiration from him.

Four years ago, Kamal used to manage a small shop in the village

Four years ago, Kamal used to manage a small shop in the village. Then he got information about early fruiting apple varieties from the nursery of the Horticulture Department located in Bhimtal. Kamal reached there and from here began his gardening journey. He got 500 apple saplings at 60% subsidy under the ‘Apple Mission’ scheme. Along with this, he also applied in the ‘Kiwi Mission’ and planted kiwi saplings on 10 naali land.

Similarly, he started beekeeping along with planting bay leaves and big cardamom on five naali land. After a few years of hard work, he now has a total garden of 35 naali. In which Kamal is also planting vegetables through polyhouse. Beekeeping and mushroom production have also been started as an ancillary activity.

How he took advantage of government schemes

Kamal Giri tells that under the Apple Mission, he got saplings at 60 percent subsidy. Similarly, he has also got a polyhouse built at 80 percent subsidy. The department has also supported him in Kiwi Mission and fencing. Due to all these efforts, despite being in the middle of the forest, his crop could remain safe from wild animals. Now his hard work has started to succeed. Last season, he sold 21 quintals of apples, this season the production of kiwi has also started. Along with this, 15 quintals of bay leaves have also been prepared. He also regularly sells vegetables through polyhouse.

Horticulture is necessary to increase the economy of villages: CM

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that horticulture is very important to increase the economy of the villages of Uttarakhand. The benefits of many schemes like Apple Mission and Kiwi Mission are now visible on the ground. This is not only increasing the income of the people, but also solving the problem of migration.