Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura, today ordered constitution of a Committee to look into the issues facing by the employees of his department.The Minister was addressing during a one day convention organized by Jammu and Kashmir Agriculture Technocrats Association (JKATA).The Committee would be headed by Commissioner Secretary with Director Agriculture Jammu and Kashmir and other officers as its members.The Minister said that employees are the backbone of the department and present government headed by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has taken number of pro employee decisions like regularization of around 2600 Rehber-e-Zirat employees, wo were working in the department for years.The Minister emphasized the employees to create awareness among the farmers about various schemes initiated by state and centre government for their welfare. He said that various farmer-specific schemes like Fasal Bima Yogna, Krishi Sichayi Yogna among others, are aimed at increasing the productivity and double the farmers' income by 2022. He directed the concerned officials to conduct regular field visits so that farmers can avail their benefits.
Hanjura emphasized the need to introduce technological innovations in agriculture by the Department to help and support farmers further raise their productivity. He said that the State is an agriculture-based economy with most of its population directly or indirectly associated with the sector.Reiterating government’s commitment of doubling farmers’ income by 2022, the Minister directed the concerned officers to set annual targets and make strenuous efforts to achieve the same. He asked them to organize seminars, awareness camps, Kisan Melas and conferences on regular basis for educating the farmers about benefits of organic farming and updating them about latest technological advancements in farming.Director Agriculture Jammu, H.K. Razdan said that triple cropping has been started by the farmers in various areas of Jammu region which will untimely help the government to achieve the target of doubling the farmer’s income by 2022.Director Agriculture Kashmir, Altaf Ajaz Andrabi said that Department of Agriculture has initiated number of pro farmer’s schemes and expressed hope that Saffron Mission will show positive results in coming years.