A day-long mega awareness programme cum Kissan Sammelan on Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna (PMFBY) was organized by Krishi Vigyan Kandra Baramulla today in which Union Minister of State for Agriculture, Farmers welfare and Panchayati Raj, Parshottam Rupala was the chief guest.Minister of State for Transport, Sunil Sharma, Vice Chairman Kisaan Advisory Board, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Director Agriculture Kashmir, Mission Director Fasal Bima Yojana, Krishi Vigyan Kendra Baramulla and other concerned were present in the Sammelan.As many as 1000 farmers and rural youth from different parts of the District participated in the programme. During the camp, Kissan Miter certificates besides soil health cards were distributed among progressive farmers.Speaking on the occasion, the Minister sensitized the participants about PMFBY and impressed upon the farmers to avail benefits from the centrally sponsored schemes devised for upliftment of socio-economic profile and welfare of farmers of the country. He said Jammu and Kashmir is bestowed with ample water resources, as such unemployed youth should venture in farming sector which will address unemployment and help in improving economy of the State.
He that the Government is committed to provide every facility to the farmers, so that the cultivation of High Yielding Varieties (HYV) among the farmers is enhanced and encouraged. He said that apart from using latest farming technologies, farmers should necessarily conduct soil testing of their farm lands, so that the cultivation of suitable varieties is made possible.While highlighting the importance of conducting awareness camps for farmers, the Minister stressed the officers of Agriculture Department to increase the frequency of conducting such awareness camps so that the farmers are made aware about the recent developments and schemes in the farming sector for their larger benefits. It was also impressed upon the concerned Department to reinforce their different activities under various programmes so that the agricultural production is enhanced.Earlier, the Minister laid the foundation stone of Krishi Vigyan Kendra Baramulla Storage Godown. He also inspected various stalls established by various Departments including Animal Husbandry, Sheep Husbandry, Fisheries, Horticulture and Agriculture Departments.