Promotion of High-Value Crops
The HPSHIVA project focuses on transforming traditional agriculture in Himachal Pradesh by encouraging farmers to grow high-value crops that provide better income, efficient use of resources, and long-term sustainability.
Diversification of Crops
Encourages farmers to shift from low-value cereal crops to fruits, vegetables, flowers, and spices that fetch higher market prices.
Climate-Specific Crop Planning
Scientific selection of crops based on soil type, water availability, and local climate conditions to maximize yield and quality.
Introduction of Improved Varieties
Distribution of high-quality, disease-free planting material (fruits like mango, citrus, guava; vegetables like capsicum, tomato, peas).
Promotion of Modern Farming Practices
Training farmers in drip irrigation, mulching, fertigation, and integrated pest management for better productivity.
Support for Protected Cultivation
Training farmers in drip irrigation, mulching, fertigation, and integrated pest management for better productivity.
Linking Farmers to Markets
Training farmers in drip irrigation, mulching, fertigation, and integrated pest management for better productivity.
Income Enhancement
Ensures farmers earn higher per-acre income by producing crops that have better demand and price stability.
Irrigation Infrastructure Development
The HPSHIVA project places strong emphasis on creating efficient and sustainable irrigation infrastructure to ensure year-round water availability for high-value crop production.
Water Harvesting & Storage Structures
Construction of ponds, tanks, and check dams to store rainwater and groundwater for irrigation purposes.
Lift Irrigation & Distribution Systems
Installation of lift irrigation schemes, pipelines, and distribution channels to deliver water to farms efficiently.
Micro-Irrigation Systems
Promotion of drip and sprinkler irrigation to minimize water wastage and ensure uniform moisture for crops.
Energy-Efficient Solutions
Use of solar-powered pumps and energy-efficient motors to reduce operational costs for farmers.
Community-Based Irrigation
Development of shared irrigation systems for clusters of farmers, reducing individual costs and improving water equity.
Rehabilitation of Existing Systems
Repair and modernization of old canals, tanks, and pipelines to improve water delivery efficiency.
Integrated Water Resource Management
Planning irrigation in a way that conserves groundwater, prevents soil erosion, and supports long-term sustainability.
Training & Capacity Building
Educating farmers on efficient water management practices, scheduling irrigation cycles, and using technology to monitor water use.
Farmer Training & Capacity Building
The HPSHIVA project recognizes that modern agriculture thrives on knowledge and skill development. To empower farmers, it invests heavily in training programs, demonstrations, and capacity-building initiatives that help farmers adopt new technologies and farming methods.
Skill Development Programs
Regular training workshops on crop production, irrigation techniques, plant protection, and post-harvest handling.
Demonstration Farms
Establishment of model farms where farmers can observe modern farming practices, improved varieties, and mechanization in action.
Exposure Visits
Organizing visits to successful farms, research institutes, and agri-business units for hands-on learning.
Farmer Field Schools (FFS)
On-field training sessions where farmers learn by doing and share knowledge with peers.
Use of Modern Tools & Technology
Training in digital farming apps, weather forecasting tools, soil testing kits, and precision farming equipment.
Capacity Building for FPOs & SHGs
Special programs to train Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in business planning, marketing, and financial management.
Women & Youth Empowerment
Dedicated sessions to involve women farmers and rural youth in agriculture-based entrepreneurship.
Continuous Support & Advisory Services
Providing expert guidance, helplines, and mobile advisory services for problem-solving and decision-making.
Cluster-Based Approach
The HPSHIVA project follows a Cluster-Based Approach to ensure focused development and maximize impact. Farmers are organized into well-defined clusters based on geography, crop suitability, and available resources. Each cluster functions as a production and processing hub, promoting economies of scale and collective growth.
Crop-Specific Clusters
Each cluster focuses on high-value crops such as vegetables, fruits, flowers, and spices, based on local agro-climatic conditions.
Shared Infrastructure
Common facilities like irrigation systems, packhouses, cold storages, and processing units are developed for use by all farmers in the cluster.
Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)
Farmers are mobilized into FPOs or cooperatives to strengthen bargaining power, access inputs, and ensure collective marketing.
Market Linkages
Clusters are connected with buyers, exporters, and food processing industries, enabling better price realization and reducing dependence on middlemen.
Capacity Building
Regular training and demonstrations are conducted within clusters to promote best practices in crop production, pest management, and post-harvest handling.
Improved Planting Material
HPSHIVA emphasizes the use of high-quality, disease-free, and high-yielding planting material to boost productivity and ensure sustainability. By providing farmers with access to improved seeds, saplings, and planting materials, the project aims to enhance crop performance and reduce risks.
High-Quality Seeds & Saplings
Distribution of certified seeds, grafted plants, tissue-cultured saplings, and improved rootstocks to ensure better yield and uniformity.
Disease-Free & Climate-Resilient Varieties
Promotion of planting material that is resistant to pests, diseases, and tolerant to climatic stresses.
Nursery Development
Establishment and strengthening of local nurseries to produce quality planting material near the farmers’ clusters.
Demonstration Plots
Setting up model plots showcasing improved varieties to encourage adoption among farmers.
Training for Farmers
Capacity-building programs to teach farmers proper handling, spacing, and maintenance of improved planting material for maximum benefit.
Post-Harvest Management
Post-harvest losses are a major challenge in agriculture, and HPSHIVA addresses this issue through a strong focus on Post-Harvest Management (PHM). The project aims to minimize wastage, preserve quality, and enhance the market value of produce through modern infrastructure and practices.
Grading & Sorting Facilities
Establishment of infrastructure to grade and sort produce for uniform quality and better price realization.
Pack Houses & Collection Centers
Development of local pack houses to handle, clean, and package produce efficiently.
Cold Chain Infrastructure
Setting up cold storage units, refrigerated transport, and pre-cooling facilities to extend shelf life and reduce spoilage.
Value Addition & Processing
Encouragement of primary processing like washing, cutting, pulping, or dehydration to enhance product value.
Training & Capacity Building
Educating farmers on proper harvesting techniques, handling practices, and use of post-harvest equipment.
Market-Linked Storage Solutions
Ensuring that storage facilities are connected to markets for faster and profitable disposal of produce.
Value Addition & Processing
One of the key objectives of HPSHIVA is to transform traditional farming into a market-driven and profit-oriented system. To achieve this, the project promotes value addition and processing of agricultural produce, helping farmers move up the value chain and earn higher returns.
Primary Processing Units
Establishment of facilities for cleaning, grading, sorting, pulping, juicing, dehydration, and packaging at the cluster level.
Agro-Processing Enterprises
Support for setting up small-scale agro-industries like pickle-making, jam/jelly production, spice grinding, and ready-to-eat product units.
Branding & Packaging
Development of attractive and hygienic packaging solutions along with branding support to improve market appeal.
Market-Oriented Production
Encouraging farmers to grow crops suitable for processing and premium markets (export-quality produce, nutraceutical crops, etc.).
Skill Development
Training farmers and FPO members in food safety, hygiene standards, and value-addition techniques.
Market Linkages
Connecting processed products with retail chains, exporters, and online platforms to maximize income opportunities.
Market Linkages
HPSHIVA focuses on creating strong and sustainable market linkages to ensure farmers receive fair prices and have assured buyers for their produce. By bridging the gap between farmers and markets, the project transforms agriculture into a more profitable and predictable enterprise.
Direct Buyer–Farmer Connect
Facilitating tie-ups with wholesalers, retailers, exporters, and food processing companies to eliminate middlemen and improve price realization.
Formation of FPOs & Cooperatives
Organizing farmers into Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) for collective marketing and better negotiation power.
E-Market Platforms
Encouraging the use of online trading portals and digital marketplaces for transparent and competitive price discovery.
Contract Farming & MoUs
Promoting pre-harvest agreements with buyers to ensure assured procurement at predetermined prices.
Market Intelligence & Price Forecasting
Providing farmers with real-time data on market demand, prices, and trends to plan production accordingly.
Branding & Promotion
Supporting local branding, labeling, and promotional campaigns to position cluster produce in premium markets.
Export Facilitation
Assisting farmers and FPOs to meet export quality standards and connect with international buyers.
Employment Generation
A key goal of HPSHIVA is to create sustainable livelihood opportunities for rural communities. By modernizing agriculture and promoting allied activities, the project generates both on-farm and off-farm employment, helping reduce rural-to-urban migration and improving local economies.
On-Farm Employment
Encouraging high-value crop cultivation, diversification, and improved farming practices that require more skilled labor and create year-round work.
Off-Farm Jobs
Development of agro-processing units, packhouses, nurseries, and cold chains generates employment in handling, sorting, processing, packaging, and transportation.
Entrepreneurship Promotion
Supporting rural youth and women to start agri-businesses such as nurseries, custom-hiring centers, and food processing enterprises.
Skill Development Programs
Training farmers, FPO members, and rural youth in modern agriculture, processing, marketing, and agribusiness management.
Women Empowerment
Special focus on involving women in value addition, processing, and agri-entrepreneurship, improving household income and social inclusion.
Cluster-Based Opportunities
Employment created within production clusters ensures local jobs and reduced dependency on external labor markets.
Sustainable & Climate-Resilient Farming
HPSHIVA places strong emphasis on building climate-smart and environmentally sustainable farming systems to help farmers adapt to changing weather patterns while preserving natural resources for future generations.
Water-Use Efficiency
Promotion of micro-irrigation (drip/sprinkler) and rainwater harvesting to conserve water and ensure efficient use.
Soil Health Management
Encouragement of soil testing, balanced nutrient application, and use of organic manures and biofertilizers.
Integrated Pest & Disease Management (IPM)
Adoption of eco-friendly methods like biopesticides, natural predators, and crop rotation to reduce chemical dependency.
Climate-Resilient Crop Varieties
Promotion of drought-tolerant, disease-resistant, and short-duration crop varieties suited to local agro-climatic conditions.
Agroforestry & Diversification
Integrating trees, livestock, and multiple crops to enhance resilience, soil fertility, and income stability.
Renewable Energy Solutions
Encouraging solar-powered pumps, dryers, and other farm equipment to reduce carbon footprint.