Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura today said that government is working on implementing people friendly policies throughout the State for overall development and uplift of poor and weaker sections of the society.The Minister was addressing farmers and growers after inaugurating the One Day Buyer Seller Meet-2016 for basmati rice, honey, rajmash, saffron, turmeric, garlic and ginger for progressive farmers, farmer associations, societies, groups, farmer producer companies (FPCs) and respective mill owners, wholesale traders and exporters from within and outside the State at Agriculture Complex Talab Tiloo Jammu today.The Minister said that survival of J&K’s agriculture economy lies in focusing the efforts on cultivation and promotion of high yield seeds and other products in agricultural farms. This will help a lot of farmers since the average land holding size is comparatively small as compared to neighboring states, he added. He further said that only by adoption of these techniques in farming can the goal of doubling farmers’ income in five years be realized within the timeline.
The Minister said that Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) with its focus on adoption of micro-irrigation project (Har Khet Ko Pani) and end-to-end irrigation solutions will help farmers by providing them round the year irrigation facilities which will help increase their annual yield. He said in this regard the State Government, Agriculture department has formulated Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for every district and forwarded the same to the Central Government for sanctioning of necessary funding. Highlighting the importance of the events like this Buyer-Seller Meet, the Minister said that such platforms provide transparent mechanism for fixation of price for a commodity in which labour, talent and wisdom of the grower as well as the trader is optimally compensated and farmers get their due share in the money spent by consumer.The Minister further said that this Meet will provide an effective platform to growers to display their samples for correct evaluation by the experts and fixation of appropriate value of the produce on basis of comparative and competitive quality.
Hanjura asked the participants including government, semi-government, private and autonomous organizations to join hands in providing more avenues to agri-entrepreneurs and youth of the State to bring economic resurgence and prosperity to farming families and the State as a whole.The Minister said that Government has established procurement centres for Mushkubudji and paddy with the aim to enhance the earnings of farming community involved in these cultivations besides increasing farmer interest towards participating in cultivation of these products.He further said that many specialized projects like Apple Model Village in Kashmir and Mango Model Village in Jammu are being introduced in the state to increase production of these commodities besides plans for creation of Beekeeping Model Village in Ramban district and Model Basmati Village in R. S Pura for which DPRs have already been prepared and submitted to the concerned quarters for early arrangement of funds.Hanjura also said that large scale sampling of soil is being undertaken and Soil Health Cards have been issued to the farmers to help them diversify their range of produce.
Responding the demands put forth by the farmers and growers, the Minister said that Government is aware of the problems of farming community and efforts are being made to find early resolutions. He assured the farmers about timely supply of hybrid quality of seeds and fertilizers at their door steps. He also announced that Fasal Bima Yojana will be launched in the State soon.Vice Chairman, J&K State Advisory Board for Development of Kisan, Daljit Singh Chib, speaking on the occasion highlighted the policies and programmes of the present Government and appealed the farmers to come forward and take advantage of welfare schemes launched by the Centre and State Governments. He called for organizing of exhibition at New Delhi to give boost to marketing of local species.Earlier, the Minster along with other dignitaries inspected the stall of items exhibited by various organizations.Later, the Minister released CD on good Agricultural Practices for Basmati Cultivation.On the occasion, the Minister presented a memento to retiring Joint Director Agriculture (Inputs) Jammu Jatinder Sharma to commemorate his dedicated service in the department.Among others, Financial Commissioner, Agriculture Production Department Pramod Jain, Director Agriculture Jammu, Director Command Jammu, Principal Scientists (BEDF), President Chamber of Commerce Jammu, representatives from various organizations including J&K Agro Industries Development Corporation, SIDCO, Khadi & Village Industry Board and a good number of farmers from Jammu division attended the Meet.