Minister for Industries and Commerce, Chander Parkash Ganga has stressed the need for adopting innovative techniques to increase the agriculture production in the district.The Minister was speaking at a function organized in connection with “World Health Soil Day”, here today.On the occasion, Vice-Chairman, Jammu and Kashmir State Advisory Board for Welfare and Development of the Other Backward Classes (OBC) Rashpaul Verma, MLA Samba Devinder Kumar Manyal, Deputy Commissioner Samba Sheetal Nanda besides all district heads of allied sectors including scientists from SKUAST (J) and a large number of progressive farmers were also present.Ganga asked the officers to regularly organize awareness programmes for the farming community at village level for balanced use of fertilizers to increase productivity and soil health.The Minister said such programmes will help the farming community to understand the contributions of soil to food security, climate change adaptation and mitigation, essential ecosystem services, poverty alleviation, sustainable development and to maintain soil health for future generation.
Ganga said that soil is an important ingredient of human life and the health of the soil should be maintained for beneficial farming. He said adding that such programmes can make people realize its importance.The Minister directed the Agriculture Department and other allied sectors to gear up their field functionaries and aware farmers about Soil Health Card Scheme. He also asked the concerned to work with utmost zeal and dedication and achieve soil testing targets. He directed the officers to conduct frequent field visits and redress the problems of farmers.On the occasion, the Minister also distributed soil health cards and Soil Testing Kit for micro nutrients among the participants.The senior officers of Agriculture department and experts gave detailed knowledge to the farmers about the use of latest scientific technologies to boost the agriculture production.Earlier the oath was also administered to the participants on the occasion. Documentary on innovative techniques and soil sample collection was also screened during the programme.