Tips on crop insurance and modern horticulture given to farmers in Darbhog

A farmer awareness camp was organized at the Darbhog Panchayat House under the joint auspices of the Horticulture Department and the Central General Insurance Company to increase farmers’ income and introduce them to modern horticulture techniques. About 150 farmers and gardeners from Darbhog and Shilonbagh Panchayats participated in the camp.
In the camp, farmers were given information about crop insurance, various schemes of the Horticulture Department, modern horticulture techniques and alternative sources of income. While giving information about the provisions and benefits of the crop insurance scheme, Rajiv Dhiman, an official of the Central General Insurance Company, said that insurance provides financial security to farmers in case of crop loss due to natural calamities. He informed that the last date for getting the apple crop insured is 20 December 2026.
On behalf of the Horticulture Department, Dr. Rahul Chaudhary provided information about the department’s various schemes and the facilities available to farmers. Horticulture Extension Officer D.P. Sharma explained the AgriStack and MIDH Security Portal, explaining the process for farmers to avail of these schemes digitally.
Subject Matter Expert (Horticulture) Dr. Sharad Gupta advised farmers to adopt “low volume, high value” crops, which generate higher incomes in smaller areas, in addition to traditional crops. He emphasized that proper planning for market demand, costs, potential production, and marketing is essential before starting any agricultural or horticultural project. He also emphasized the importance of adopting intensive horticulture, floriculture, and mushroom production as sources of additional income.
Awareness material and pamphlets related to management of scab and marsonina diseases in apple, spray schedule and other horticultural activities were also distributed to the farmers in the camp.
Present on this occasion were Rajendra Kumar from the Horticulture Department, and Devendra and Sumit Pal from the company. At the closing ceremony, Vinod Verma, head of Shilombagh Panchayat, and Kamal Thakur, head of Darbhog Panchayat, expressed their gratitude to the Horticulture Department and the organizers.