Director Agriculture Kashmir, Syed Altaf Aijaz Andrabi today said encouraging farmers to adopt organic farming will not only enrich the fertility of soil without harming the environment but will also fetch the farmers a rewarding income of their produce.The Director stated this in a meeting to review the progress of a natural farming project that the Department is planning to implement from this year.Speaking on the occasion, the Director said that the Department has introduced “Param Paragath Krishi Vikas Yojana’’ (PPKVY). He said a particular budgetary provision has been kept for its implementation and special funds have been earmarked under (PPKVY) so that desired results can be achieved.He said that natural farming not only helps to develop the soil quality, but it also encourages the growth of soil organisms that are beneficial to promote the production and productivity of different types of crops.He said the Department is aiming to introduce organic farming in all districts of the Valley in a phased manner and for this purpose villages/cluster of villages would be adopted on the basis of their Agro- climatic suitability with respect to different crops.
Director Agriculture said that with increasing health consciousness in the society, demand for organic food products is gaining ground with each passing day as it is good for health. He added that from the farmer’s point of view it is more profitable and will help to impart a positive change in the socio-economic conditions of the farming community.Andrabi informed that the Department has already promoted two districts of Ladakh region on organic lines, and are expecting good results and in near future, Ladakh region will be declared as 100% organic.Director Agriculture impressed upon the officers of the department and experts in natural farming, to provide all the technical support and guidance to the farmers so that they can overcome all the hurdles and issues confronting them during this entire endeavour. All the senior officers of the department attended the meeting.