“Educating the farmers about technological advancements in the field, Crop diversification and better synergy between Agriculture and allied departments are the key ingredients for giving impetus to the agriculture sector”, this was stated by Minister for Agriculture Mr Ghulan Nabi Lone Hanjura while chairing a review meeting of Agriculture and allied departments in Conference Hall DC office complex Kishtwar. MLC Firdous Ahmed Tak, District Development Commissioner Kishtwar Mr G.N Balwan, ADDC Kishtwar Mr Kishori lal Sharma, Director area command Development Jammu, Director Sericulture Jammu, Chief Agriculture officer Kishtwar Mr Sunil Kapahi, among other District Officers attended the meeting.
Reiterating the fact that about 7o% of the population of state is still dependent on the agriculture, Minister said that efforts are on to streamline the functioning of the department and thrust has been laid on generating awareness among the farmers.He further directed all the District Officers to organize Block wise awareness camps and educate the farmers regarding various centrally and state sponsored schemes, KCC and research facilities available in the District so that farmers presently working on conventional methods can use technological advancements for improving their agricultural produce and economic conditions.“Keeping in view limited land resources focus has to be laid on crop diversification, multi cropping ,encouraging technological interventions and innovations to meet the demands of growing population”, he added.
He also directed DC Kishtwar to ensure that no agriculture land is diverted for construction purposes, dumping of garbage etc. Highlighting the huge potential for Saffron and Rajmash cultivation in Kishtwar and Marwah area Mr Hanjura asked the DC to convene meeting with all stake holders and submit a plan for the inclusion of these potential areas in the recently launched Pardhan Mantri Krishi Sinchia Yojana so that every field in the district gets adequate water for irrigation.He also informed that the process of declaration of a village as Rajmash village in the Doda- Kishtwar region similar to apple village in Kashmir valley and Basmati village in RS Pura is also in the pipeline.
Chief agriculture officer Kishtwar was asked to work out a convergence plan in coordination with other departments so that a pool of resources is created for developmental works. He also directed all the District officers to chalk out developmental plans or proposals for any scheme in consultation with the legislators.MLC Firdous Ahmed Tak also spoke on the occasion and stressed on the re verification of the list of beneficiaries selected under the saffron mission besides he apprised the minister about the infrastructural requirements to house the soil testing equipments in the District.Earlier on way to Kishtwar Minster held a grievance redressal camp at Thatri where he took stock of the problems of the people and gave directions to the concerned officers to redress their grievances in a time bound manner.