Rajouri district occupies top position in cocoon production in the State with its 20 Mulberry Nurseries in the district having production of 1.50 lakh mulberry saplings. Besides, the farmers of the district have planted one lakh mulberry saplings under various schemes including MNREGA and RKVY during 2015-16.This was informed in a district level officers meeting convened by Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura, to review the working of agriculture and allied sectors besides other departments here today.The meeting was attended by MLA, Qammer Hussain Choudhry, Deputy Commissioner, Shabir Ahamed Bhat, Director Sericulture, Dr. Malik Farooq, Director Agriculture, S. S. Jamwal and other district officers of Agriculture, Horticulture, Sericulture, Command Area Development (CAD), Power, Health, PHE, Irrigation, R&B, PMGSY and other departments.
Earlier, the Deputy Commissioner gave resume of activities and achievements registered by different departments in the district.It was informed in the meeting that under Sericulture Sector, the department has distributed 7100 ounces of silkworm seed among 6236 rearing families besides 1.874 lakh kg cocoon has been produced by the farmers generating an income of Rs.2.93 crore. It was also informed that 2 Cocoon Market Sheds have been constructed under Centrally Sponsored Schemes at Sunderbani and Nowshera. Besides, 2825 rearing families have been provided assistance for construction of rearing houses, 2550 families provided rearing equipments and 25 Chawki rearing buildings have been constructed for providing Chawki rearing silkworms to farmers. In addition, training camps were also organized for 600 farmers.
The Minister also took stock of working of various departments and directed the concerned officers of agriculture and its allied wings to gear up their field functionaries and work in unison for implementation of centrally sponsored and state sector schemes on ground. He also asked them to conduct frequent field visits and educate farmers about the schemes so that maximum can be benefited.While taking stock of agriculture sector, it was informed that 3 multi thrashers were distributed among the beneficiaries of Nowshera Constituency. Besides, 73 pump sets costing Rs.10,000 were distributed among 23 beneficiaries of Rajouri, 25 of Darhal, 9 from Kalakote and 16 Nowshera constituencies respectively. It was informed that Rs.1.81 crore out of Rs.1.94 crore have been spent on various agriculture activities during 2015-16.
Meanwhile, National Food Security Mission, Health and Convergence activities were also discussed in detail.The meeting was informed that Rs 1.99 crore were released under Indra Awas Yojna (IAY) for the year 2015-16 which were utilized in full. Besides, under MGNERGA 7432 works taken up and 2730 are being executed.Taking stock of power position, it was informed that there are 41 receiving stations presently functional in the district. Under R& B sector, there are 405 ongoing schemes including 77 under NABARD and 328 regular.