Minister for Agriculture Mr. Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura Saturdaystressed the need for strengthening of Soil Health Laboratories of the State through capacity building, involvement of agriculture students and effective linkage with Agriculture Universities.The Minister was speaking at a function held in connection with World Soil Health Day organized by Department of Agriculture in collaboration with Directorate of Extension SKAUST, Jammu here today.The theme of the programme was ‘Healthy Soil for Healthy Life’ in which experts of Agriculture Department and SKUAST presented lectures on the subject during technical session.The programme was attended by the Vice Chairman, Advisory Board for the Development of Kissan, Mr. Daljeet Singh, Vice Chancellor, SKAUST Jammu Dr. D. S. Chib, Vice Chairman, SC/ ST, Mr. Bharat Bushan Dogra, MLA Suchetgarh, Ch. Sham Lal, MLA R. S. Pura Dr. Gagan Bhagat, Former MP, T. S. Bajwa, Director Agriculture, Jammu, Director Command Area Development, Senior Officers and Scientists of Agriculture and SKAUST, a good number of progressive farmers.
The Minister directed the Agriculture Department, SKUAST 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 dedication and achieve soil testing targets in full. He also called for strengthening of soil testing labs to ensure that the target fixed for next three years could be achieved.Highlighting the efforts of the Coalition Government towards upliftment of farming community, the Minister said that several initiatives have been taken in this regard.“Directions have already been given to the officers to conduct frequent field visits and solve the problems of farmers on the spot, which he said, is the commitment of the State and Central Government”, he added.
The Minister said the Government will definitely succeed in steering the State towards new dimensions of progress and prosperity with its single mindedness and firm determination. He said skill development programme and other innovative schemes have been launched which will help hone the skills of youth to the fullest.Vice Chairman, Kissan Advisory Board, Chib highlighted the achievements of the Government and said that the establishment of Procurement Centers have shown good results on ground. He called for special agriculture package for Jammu and Kashmir State.Vice Chancellor SKUAST, Dr. P K Sharma in his address said that soil testing is imperative so as to make sustainable increase in crop production and improve soil health.Legislators, Ch. Sham Lal and Dr. Gagan Bhagat in their address highlighted the achievement of the present Government. They projected the demands of the farmers including providing of compensation.Earlier, the Minister inspected various stalls installed in Krishi Vigyan Kandra (KVK) Jammu and took stock of the activities of the unit. He was informed about the functioning of KVK.