Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura Monday directed the Agriculture Department and SKUAST Jammu to conduct joint survey in Chenab Valley to give a boost to the production of maize and peas in the area. He asked to constitute a committee in this regard and submit a detailed report in this regard within three months.This was directed by the Minister while taking a review of the functioning of the Agriculture department in the Chenab Valley here today.Legislators, Mr. G. M. Saroori, Mr. Naresh Kumar Gupta, Mr. Firdous Ahmad Tak, Mr. Shakti Raj Parihar, Mr. Neelam Langeh, Vice Chancellor SKUAST Jammu, Dr. D. S. Chib, Commissioner Secretary, Agriculture Production, Mr. Mushtaq Ahmad Bhukhari, Head of the Department of Agriculture, Command Area Development (CAD), Sericulture and concerned officers of agriculture and its allied wings attended the meeting.
Detailed discussions were held on establishment of mushroom, apiculture and saffron units, soil health testing, functioning of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), establishment of sericulture nurseries, works taken under CAD in Chenab Valley, distribution and availability of seeds, fertilizers and pesticides. Mr. Hanjura stressed on promotion of Bhaderwahi Rajmash and asked the concerned to come up with comprehensive plans for improving its productivity and patent . He directed the concerned to ensure utilization of soil health testing mobile vans, availability and distribution of seeds in Chenab Valley in time.The Minister also stressed on rationalization of staff both gazetted and non-gazetted to streamline the functioning of the department .He directed the concerned to issue job cards to Rehbr-e-Zirat for 4 months and submit the report in this regard to the administrative department.
Hanjura called for better coordination between the department of Agriculture, SKUAST and KVK's so that the benefits of welfare programmes reach the farming community well in time. He stressed that it is imperative that the farmers are kept abreast about the latest developments in the field which will help to improve productivity.The Minister was also apprised about the various developmental activities taken up under CAD in the region.While discussing the scope of production of saffron in the area, the Minister asked the concerned for taking up adequate steps for expansion of saffron mission and provision for corms. Mr. Hanjura directed the concerned officers to prepare Detailed Project Reports (DPRS) after comprehensive land survey for construction of check dams, irrigation khuls, and allied works and stressed on consulting the concerned legislators in the matter.