Minister for Agriculture Production Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjur today convened a meeting to take a comprehensive review of progress made under various centrally and State sponsored schemes implemented by the Agriculture Department.The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary, Agriculture Production Department Mohammad Afzal Bhat, Secretary Agriculture Production Department, Showkat Ahmad Beigh, Director Agriculture, Kashmir Altaf Aijaz Andrabi, Chief Agriculture Officers of various districts, Chief Engineer Mechanical Department, Director Research, SKUAST (K), Joint Directors and other concerned officers of the department.On the occasion, the Minister was informed about Department’s expenditure and achievements with regards to various schemes including Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna, Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture, National Food Security Mission, progress on the work under Saffron Mission and other ongoing projects under Command Area Development.
Hanjura directed the concerned officers to increase expenditure level under all the schemes and ensure targets are achieved within the set timeframe. He said that the timely expenditure of various funds will lead to overall welfare of the people whose livelihood depends on Agriculture and allied sectors.He directed the officers that village committees should be established on co-operative patterns to give a boost to Agricultural activities. He asked them to form Village Committees by February end observing that it will lead to the betterment of the farmers.Hanjura also stressed that Women Self-Help groups should be constituted in all the districts. The meeting was informed that 773 Women Self-help Groups have already been formed under which 5535 beneficiaries are registered.
Stressing on the need to involve youth in Agricultural practices, he said the involvement of youth coupled with latest practices will help them to earn their livelihood. He asked the officers to lay special thrust on Apiculture, Mushroom growing and Integrated Farming in the State which can provide employment avenues to the youth.The Minister also directed for the timely distribution of seeds and fertilizers among the farmers. He said Government is making all-out efforts for the sustained growth of the agriculture sector, adding that introducing several innovative measures will enable farmers to get maximum returns from their land.Later, the Minister also reviewed various schemes under sericulture sector. During the meeting, the Minister issued the directions for ensuring cent percent expenditure of allotted funds and optimally achieving the set targets .