Minister for Agriculture, Mohammad Khalil Bandh today said that bringing improvement in the economic status of farmers is the top agenda of the present government.“Department of Agriculture needs to work with full dedication to achieve the set targets as agriculture and horticulture sectors are the backbone of the economy of the state” he said while taking a detailed review of performance of the department here today. He called upon the officers and field functionaries to work with dedication, honesty and sincerity to create awareness regarding various technological interventions and farmers welfare schemes to produce tangible results in the fields in the shape of increase in production and income of farmers.The Agriculture Minister also reviewed implementation of various farmers’ welfare schemes and preparedness of the department for ensuing Kharif 2018 crop season.Commissioner/Secretary to Government Agriculture Production Department Mehraj-ud-din Khan,Director Agriculture Jammu,Hari Krishan Razdan, Rakesh Khajuria, Managing Director, J & K Agro Industries Dev Corporation, Bulesh Zutshi, Joint Director SLUB, K. S. Sambyal, Joint Director of Agriculture (Inputs), R. L. Bhagat, Joint Director of Agriculture (Extension), Sunil Koul, Deputy Director of Agriculture (Trainings), Chief Agriculture Officers, Sectoral Heads and other Senior Officers of Agriculture & Command Area Development Department were present on the occasion.The Minister stressed upon all the officers to adhere to the guidelines of the respective CSS and State Sector Schemes and said that he will personally monitor on-going programmes in all the districts soon. He further said that the present coalition Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti is determined to give thrust to the Agriculture in the state and will make intensive efforts for improving the plight of farmers and farming community in the state.
The Minister also reviewed the supply and stock position of various inputs including seeds and fertilizers for the current Kharif Crop Season along with progress and achievements during Rabi 2017-18, Prime Ministers Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), Prime Ministers Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), National Food Security Mission (NFSM), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), Soil Health Card Scheme (SCHS) and National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC) were also reviewed.Later, the Agriculture Minister along with Vice-Chairman J & K Agro-Industries and team of senior officers inspected various sections located at Agriculture Complex Talab-Tillo, Jammu including Naturally Ventilated Green House Structures for Cultivation of Vegetables, Floriculture Nursery, Seed Testing Laboratory, Pesticide Testing Laboratory and Soil Testing Laboratory. The minister also inaugurated the Working Shed-cum-Storage Room and inspected Vermi-compost Units constructed under Centre of Excellence for Vegetables.Commissioner/Secretary Agriculture Production Department Mehraj-ud-din Khan asked the CAOs, Sectoral Officers and SDAOs to ensure maximum utilization of funds and prepare and submit Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for the development of farming sector including mechanization, apiculture and development of local specialties.Earlier, Director Agriculture Jammu, gave a PowerPoint Presentation on progress of various schemes and apprised the Minister that the department has stocked more than1800 qtls of High Yielding Variety (HYV) Seeds for current Kharif Season which includes Paddy, Maize, pulses and fodder seeds in all the stores of the Jammu Division.