Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura today said that agricultural department is preparing a contingency plan to deal with any drought like situation that might arise in the State.The Minister was speaking during a meeting convened to take a comprehensive review of progress on various centrally and State sponsored schemes being implemented by the Agriculture Department.The meeting was attended by Secretary Agriculture Production Department, Showkat Ahmad Beigh, DG Sriculture Mir Tariq Ali, Director Agriculture, Kashmir Altaf Aijaz Andrabi, MD Agro Rakesh Khajuria, OSD of Agriculture Minister, Ghulam Nabi Bhat, Joint Director Agriculture Jammu and other other concerned officers of the department.On the occasion, the Minister was informed about Department’s expenditure and achievements with regard to various schemes including Rashtriya Krishi VikasYojna, ATMA, PMKSY, NFSM, 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 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.
Stressing on the need to involve youth in Agricultural practices, he said the involvement of youth coupled with latest practices will help them 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.Hanjura on the occasion said that those progressive farmers would be awarded who will show outstanding performance in the agriculture and its allied sectors. He directed the officers to prepare a list of such farmers.The Minister also directed for timely distribution of seeds and fertilizers among the farmers. He said Government is making all-out efforts for sustained growth of agriculture sector, adding that introducing several innovative measures will enable farmers to get maximum returns from their land.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.