Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura today asked the farmers to adopt diverse cropping pattern and use modern Agri -techniques as it would help them to attain economic security. The Minister was addressing the farmers after inaugurating Kissan cum exhibition Mela at Ramban here.MLA Ramban, Neelam Kumar Langeh, Director General Sericulture, Mir Tariq Ali, District Development Commissioner Ramban, Tariq Hussan Ganie, Director Agriculture Jammu, H.K. Razdan, MD Agro, Rakesh Khajuria, Chief Agriculture Officer Ramban, K.K. Gupta and other senior officers of the department were present.The Minister said that introduction of globally accepted Agri techniques, farm machinery and promotion of diversified cropping system was the priority of the Government to make agriculture a profitable activity.He said in this direction, the farmers are being acquainted through Kissan cum Machinery melas about the far reaching benefits of these techniques for enhancement of agriculture produce, besides providing them better market linkages for better returns.He said with launching of massive awareness about these schemes and programmes at district, block and Panchayat levels farmers are switching over to new farm machinery, hybrid seeds, organic farming and other agriculture inputs for better produce.
Hanjura said that modern soil testing labs would be setup in all the districts of the state for the benefit of farming community.Hanjura said the main objective of conducting Kissan cum Machinery mela was too aware the stakeholders about the latest techniques of agriculture, which has become vital for boosting the agriculture and its allied sectors. He said the topography of the state demands introduction of diversified crop pattern, farm machinery for making the agriculture cost effective.Calling upon the farmers to take the benefits of various schemes, the Minister said that the Government is taking every step to encourage the farmers by facilitating them with new agriculture inputs.MLA Ramban, Neelam Langeh highlighted the achievements of the present government. He asked the concerned to provide booklets of seeds and agriculture technology among the farmers.Earlier, the Minister inspected the stalls set up by different departments to showcase their performance in different fields of agriculture. Farm machinery was also showcased at the Mela.During the Kisan Mela, farmers interacted with the agricultural scientists, who gave them suggestions regarding the present technology and schemes.Scores of people including growers, farmers, and entrepreneurs were present at the event.