Una, September 24—Land that once yielded neither wheat nor corn is now lush with greenery. With the help of the HP Shiva Project, 65-year-old farmer Ajmer Singh of Boul village in the Bangana subdivision of Una district has cultivated a guava orchard on this barren land. Proving age to be merely a number, Ajmer has created a success story with the help of modern techniques, hard work, and government guidance.
This season, his orchard is expected to produce over 22 quintals, generating an estimated income of over 1 lakh rupees. This success has not only strengthened his family's financial situation but has also inspired other farmers in the village to take up fruit-based farming.

*Started with 1,800 plants, currently has guava plants planted on 450 kanals
Ajmer Singh explains that he started about three and a half years ago by planting 1,800 guava plants under the FLD (Front Line Demo), including the Shweta and Lalita varieties. Currently, he has planted a guava orchard on approximately 450 kanals of land. This season, he expects to harvest approximately 22 quintals of guavas. Customers are purchasing guavas directly from his doorstep at 50 rupees per kilogram.

*HP Shiva Project opens new avenues
Ajmer Singh says that the land, which previously didn't even support crops like wheat and maize and was devastated by wild animals, is now covered in greenery. With the help of the Himachal government and the Horticulture Department, he was provided with plants, a drip irrigation system, vermicompost, polythene sheets to maintain moisture in the plants, fencing, and necessary medicines under the HP Shiva Project.

*Training and continuous guidance from the government
Ajmer Singh received a five-day training from the Horticulture Department's Neri College in Hamirpur, which included training on plant cuttings, disease identification, and treatment. Horticulture Department officials also visit the cluster from time to time to inspect the plants and provide technical guidance.

*Family found employment, expressed gratitude to the government
Ajmer Singh says that with the support of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu and the Horticulture Department, this barren land has been transformed into a guava orchard. Now, the entire family is involved in this work; his wife Tripta Devi, both sons, and daughters-in-law all help with farming.
Ajmer's wife, Tripta Devi, adds that for their family, this is not just farming, but a source of prosperity. The entire family is working together, and they are extremely happy about it.

*What officials say
KK Bhardwaj, Deputy Director, Horticulture Department, Una, stated that the Himachal government's ambitious ?1,292 crore HP Shiva project is bringing prosperity to the lives of the state's farmers and gardeners. The scheme's combination of modern technologies, quality planting, scientific guidance, and government support has not only increased farmers' incomes but also opened new avenues of self-employment for rural youth.
Dr. Bhardwaj stated that 17,000 high-quality guava trees have been planted on 15 hectares of land in the Bangana development block in 2024-25. In 2025-26, 55,000 guava, seasonal, and Malta trees are being planted on 50 hectares of land.
The plan is to expand this project to the entire district.
He explains that under the HP Shivar project, cluster land development for planting fruit trees, high-quality fruit trees, composite fencing, drip irrigation, etc. are also being provided on 100% subsidy.

*What the District Magistrate Says
Una District Magistrate Jatin Lal says that, as directed by Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, the effective implementation of the HP Shivar project is being ensured in the district. Through the Horticulture Department, it is being ensured that farmers receive full support at every level, from planting to irrigation and marketing. Our endeavor is to not only increase farmers' income through this scheme, but also create new employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for youth in the horticulture sector.