The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)–supported Uttarakhand Integrated Horticulture Development Project (UKIHDP) is a flagship initiative of the  overnment of Uttarakhand aimed at enhancing farm incomes in hill regions through structured horticulture value-chain development. The project focuses on improving productivity, quality, post-harvest management, institutional capacity, and market linkages for selected high-value crops in climatically suitable clusters.

Under UKIHDP, Mount Valley Development Association (MVDA) has been selected as the implementing agency for two blocks of Uttarkashi district—Mori and Bhatwari—based on its long-standing experience in hill agriculture, farmer mobilisation, and institutional development.MVDA in partnership with Uttarakhand Integrated Horticulture Development Society implementing JICA supported by  Uttarakhand Integrated Horticulture Development Project (UKIHDP)
Implementation Geography & Crop Focus:

1.  Mori Block: High Density Apple Plantation
2.  Bhatwari Block: Potato Seed Village development

The selection of crops is aligned with agro-climatic suitability, existing farmer practices, and
market demand, ensuring both technical feasibility and economic viability.

Institutional Framework & Roles:
The project follows a multi-institutional delivery model with clearly defined responsibilities:

•  JICA Provides strategic financing, technical expertise, global best practices, project

design support, and monitoring frameworks.

• MVDA- CBBO (Community-Based Business Organisation)

Responsible for farmer mobilisation, formation of producer clusters, strengthening
production discipline, quality assurance systems, and initial business orientation at the
community level.

•  Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO)

Acts as the commercial arm of the project—aggregating produce/seed, procuring inputs,
undertaking value addition, establishing market linkages, and ensuring sustainability
beyond the project period.

Block-wise Intervention Strategy

A. Mori Block – High density Apple plantation

Key interventions include:

• Promotion and adoption of High Density Apple Plantation (HDP) systems, enabling early

bearing, higher productivity per unit area

• Introduction of improved post-harvest handling, grading, and aggregation systems to

reduce losses and improve quality consistency

•  Market linkage through FPO-led collective marketing, ensuring better price realisation,

scale advantages.

Objective:
To improve productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, and enhance price realisation for apple
growers through organised value-chain development.
Bhatwari Block – Potato Seed Village Development
Key interventions include:

•  Development of potato seed production clusters
•  Training on quality seed production protocols and disease management
•  Linkages with certification and technical agencies
• Aggregation and distribution through FPO platforms

Objective:
To establish Bhatwari as a reliable source of quality potato seed, reducing farmer dependency
on external seed markets and improving net farm income.

 Key Objectives:
To promote profitable horticulture and improve farmer’s income by area expansion of targeted crops, infrastructure development and capacity development for production, processing and marketing of horticulture crops, thereby contributing to economic and social development in Uttarakhand state.
It is imperative to encourage farmers to be part of the producer collectives with the goal of promoting FPOs for enhancing market access, economies of scale, improved risk management, and instilling essential business skills among farmers.

The project places a strong emphasis on setting up primary processing and cold storage units, among other facilities, to enhance quality control and advance FPOs. Additionally, training will be provided to ensure post-harvest handling, value addition, and business management. The ultimate goal of the project is to use the power of collectivization and ultimately enhancing the income of the farmers.
Project Location:  Bhatwari and Mori Block of Uttarkashi district