Department Related Standing Committee (DRSC-I) of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council reviewed the functioning of Agriculture Department in a meeting, held here today.The Committee which met under the Chairmanship of MLC, QaiserJamsheed Lone discussed and examined the functioning of the department and stressed the need for strengthening the monitoring mechanism.The Committee also stressed for proper implementation of various Centrally Sponsored Schemes includes Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, National Mission for sustainable Agriculture, National Mission on Agriculture Extension and Technology, National Food Security Mission, National Mission on Oil Seed and Oil Palm, National e-governance Programme for Agriculture, Kissan Credit Card, Pradhan Mantri FasalBima Yojana, Pradhan Mantra Krishi Sinchayee Yojana and Climate Change for sustainable Agriculture in Kandi areas of District Budgam and District Jammu under National Adaption Fund so that the benefits of these schemes percolate down to the needy farmers.Legislators, G N Monga, G L Raina and Showkat Hussain Ganai attended the meeting and gave their valuable suggestions to improve the functioning of Agriculture department.
Threadbare discussion was held upon the overall functioning and working of the department. The Committee stressed for need to bring more improvement in the department to facilitate the farmers.It emphasized the need for strengthening the existing marketing infrastructure to give impetus to the marketing activities in the State.The Committee also stressed on the development strategy includes timely sowing of treated seeds of rice, maize, timely arrangements and easy access of inputs (seeds, fertilizers, technology), ensuring supplies of quality inputs and services, stress on Soil & Water Management, Augmenting seed/grain storage capacity of farmers, gearing up extension network and capacity building of farmers in quality seed production, generate more employment opportunities through crops having scope in value addition such as MAPs, Bamboo, Flowers, Fruits, Sericulture etc.Commissioner Secretary, Agriculture briefed the Committee about the activities of the departments and steps initiated for implementation of centrally sponsored flagships programmes for the farmers in the State.Among others, Director Agriculture Kashmir/Jammu, Managing Director Agro Industries, Deputy Secretary, Legislative Council, Ali Mohammad Rabat besides senior officers of the Agriculture department and Council Secretariat attended the meeting.