Minister for Agriculture Muhammad Khalil Bandh today said that Government is mulling to establish rice Mandis in every district of state.He made these remarks during the opening day of 2- day silver Jubilee meeting of ICAR Regional Committee organized by ICAR-IISWC Dehradun, ICAR-CITH and SKUAST Srinagar.Minister for Animal Sheep and Fisheries Abdul Ghani Kohli also attended the meeting.Highlighting the role of universities in helping the farmers in better farming practices, Bandh said that it is because of agricultural scientist’s efforts that the farmers have moved from struggling for self-sufficient production to marketing their produce.Saying that Apple industry is one of the major contributors of the state economy, Minister said that ill-conceived marketing strategies of Apple industry is affecting the financial returns of the growers." The quality of our apple is unparalleled in the world, but when we compare it with a market value of apple produce in other countries, it fetches our grower peanuts. It is important to have market intervention from time to time,” he told the gathering.Stressing on the wide publicity of the best agricultural practices, Bandh said that agriculture department should organize awareness programmes of latest agricultural techniques in every area of the state.
He also said there is need to strengthen fertilizer testing labs, seed testing labs, soil testing labs in every area of the state.While praising Agricultural scientists for developing better yielding crops, Minister for Animal Sheep and Fisheries Abdul Ghani Kohli asked the scientists to develop better hybrid livestock suitable for the local environment.This will help in the realization of goal of self-sufficiency in the production of mutton, eggs, poultry and fishes, he said.Saying that state offers vast green meadows, the Minister said that J&K is the best suitable place for rearing and growth of livestock."Besides green pastures, State has abundant natural freshwater resources everywhere, we should use them for fish production. it will help us in attaining self-sufficiency in production. "He stressed on creating awareness about benefits of setting up poultry and sheep rearing centres so that unemployed youth can take it as the preferred choice of entrepreneurship.He urged scientists who had come from other states to help the state government in developing latest techniques for the growth of livestock here.