Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Radha Mohan Singh today inaugurated Kissan Mela-cum-Exhibition at SKUAST-K here.The Kisan Mela on theme “Doubling Farmers’ income by 2022” was organized by the SKUAST-K in collaboration with Department of Agriculture, J&K Government sponsored by DAC&FW, ICAR, J&K Self-Reliant Central level Co-op Association and J&K Pesticide Distribution and Dealers Association. Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura, Minister for Animal & Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries Abdul Gani Kohli, Minister of State for Agriculture Sunil Kumar Sharma, Member Parliament Shamsher Singh Manhas, VC Kisan Advisory Board Daljit Singh Chib, MLA Mohammad Ashraf Mir, VC, MSME and Zonal Member, Khadi Village Industrial Commission (KVIC) North Zone Dr Hina Shafi Bhat, besides Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-K Dr Nazer Ahmad, officers from Union and State agriculture department, ICAR scientists, faculty, students and large number of farmers were present on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering after inaugurating the Mela, the Union Minister said the aim of organizing Kissan Mela was to sensitize the farmers about new technology and High yielding variety of seeds being introduced in the agriculture and allied sectors to increase productivity. He said it would go a long way in increasing the income of the farming community. He called for organizing more such Melas across the State to acquaint the farmers about the latest techniques being used in farming sector.Highlighting the programmes and schemes launched by the Union Government for the welfare and betterment of farmers.He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has envisaged the vision of doubling the income of farmers by 2022 and for that not only he formulated and launched new schemes but made arrangements of necessary funds for their effective implementation.The Union Minister said that various reformative measures have been taken for creation of Quality Human Resources in agriculture and its allied sectors. He said that last year Professional course in B.Sc Agriculture was introduced in the Universities to make the Agriculture Graduate job creator than the job seekers. He said that for their encouragement monthly honorarium has also been enhanced during the field training.The Union Minister said that Prime Minister is keen to make the J&K State self-sufficient in agriculture production, adding that for the purpose various schemes have been launched in the State for the development and promotion of agriculture sector.
Referring to the decision taken by the National Horticulture Board to establish the Saffron Park at Pampore, the Union Minister said a saffron park would also be established at Kishtwar which will be equipped with quality testing lab, export based activities and e-auction facility centre.Mr. Singh said that Union Government has announced package of Rs 500 crore for restoration of damaged Horticulture sector for which J&K govt has submitted its plan for 2016-19. He said under Prime Minister’s special package high density plantation material and Jafari system is recommended which will help the state in increasing apple production.The Union Minister said that the Government has started e-NAAM scheme to provide nationwide and transparent marketing system in the country, adding that 585 mandies would be linked up to 2018 through this system.Earlier, the Union Minister laid the foundation stone of Boys hostel at SKUAST-K. The 3-storey building with state-of-the-art facilities would be constructed at a cost of Rs. 530 crore.
He also inspected laboratory of SKUAST-K and got first hand appraisal of the functioning of it.Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura and Minister of State for Agriculture Sunil Kumar Sharma also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the steps being taken by the state government for boosting the agriculture production. They also called for more funds under CSS for the development of Agriculture and Horticulture sectors as 70 per cent population of the State is directly or indirectly associated with these sectors.They also called for organizing such Melas to make farmers aware about the latest technology being used in farming and its use for boosting the crop production and its cultivation, besides increasing production in live-stock, milk and mutton. They said that the Department of agriculture is giving subsidy on high yielding variety of seeds as well as farming tools. The Union Minister along with other dignitaries went round the stalls established by the various departments to display their products. Modern farming machinery, agriculture produces and soil testing labs were also displayed in the stalls.The Union Minister also presented certificate to the farmers who did well in agriculture and its allied sectors for their encouragement.