Minister for Agriculture Production Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura today said that the Government is keen to promote Agri Business Centres to encourage farm mechanisation for boosting agriculture production- the ultimate benefits of which will go to farmers.“The agriculture department is following a two-pronged strategy of encouraging big farmers or a group of farmers to come together for purchasing high cost machinery for running ‘custom hiring centres’,” he said.Elaborating further, he said the custom hiring centres will give farm machinery on rental basis to farmers who cannot afford to purchase high-end agricultural machinery.“The centres will play a pivotal role in introducing high technology agriculture machinery to even ordinary farmers with the objective to boost crop production and improve quality of agriculture operations” he added.
The Minister was speaking at a meeting convened to review the functioning of Agriculture, Command Area Development and Sericulture Departments here today.While reviewing the functioning of the departments, Hanjura stressed upon all the officers to adhere to the directions and guidelines in the implementation of schemes. He asked them to personally monitor on-going schemes, adding that proper monitoring, judicious utilization of funds and optimal use of resources will ensure timely benefit to the farming community.Asking the department functionaries to work with dedication, he asked the Chief Agriculture Officers to ensure that the newly adjusted Village Agriculture Extension Assistants (VAEAs) remain stationed at their respective panchayat headquarters and guide the local farmers.
He further said that the Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Ms Mehbooba Mufti is committed to give boost to the Agriculture & Horticulture Sectors in the state. The Minister also reviewed the supply and stocking of various inputs including seeds and fertilizers for ensuing Rabi Crop Season. The Minister also discussed Prime Minister’s Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), Prime Minister’s Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), and Soil Health Card Scheme and directed to conduct regular field visits and take adequate steps to generate mass awareness about these schemes.The Minister said that the cultivation of Mushroom has emerged as important agro-based industry in the State and stressed on promotion of Mushroom farming among the youth.
He directed all the Chief Agriculture Officers to hold meetings in consultation with the DCs and ACDs of their concerned districts to prepare comprehensive plans for convergence of schemes under MGNREGA. He directed to chart out calendar and schedule for Mobile Soil Testing Vans to achieve full targets of soil sampling and testing.Director Agriculture Jammu, Sudesh Kaul apprised the Minister that till July this year the department has covered 344.26 hectare under Paddy, Maize, Oilseed, Pulses, Fodder against the annual target of 720 ha. He said that against the target of 705 Ha, the department has covered 292.04 ha under High Yielding varieties. For this department has distributed 20594.40 qtls of High Yielding Variety (HYV) Seeds, he added.
The Minister was further informed that the Department of Agriculture Jammu & CABI (Centre for Agri & Bio Sciences International)-India organized a week long plant-wise training programme for 22 extension officers and functionaries to impart, knowledge about operationalization of Plant Clinics in Jammu, Kathua and Samba districts.Director CAD Jammu Manisha Sharma, Director Sericulture J & K Dr. Malik Farooq, Additional Director Sericulture Jammu M.L. Chadgal, Joint Director Agriculture Extension Ashok Kumar Malhotra, Chief Agriculture Officers and Sectoral Officers of Agriculture Department were present in the meeting.