Advisor to Governor, Farooq Khan today chaired a meeting of officers to review progress/achievements and functioning of Horticulture, Agriculture and other departments in the district.The meeting was attended by Secretary Agriculture-Horticulture, Manzoor Ahmad lone, Director Horticulture, Aijaz Ahmad Bhat, Director Sericulture, Riyaz Ahmad Wani, Director Agriculture, Aijaz Altaf Andrabi and other concerned.Speaking on the occasion, Advisor Khan stressed on officers to propagate intervention of modern technology in agro sector to double crop productivity. Advisor also directed the officers to solve the problems of people and provide them every possible support in enhancing their remunerative benefits.Stressing on the need for augmenting agriculture and other allied sectors with the latest advancement in technology, he said that there is a need for bridging the gap between lab and fields.He also directed completion of pending projects in a time bound manner and effective implementation of various centrally sponsored schemes for doubling farmers’ income and realization of increased yield.During the meeting, DDC Kulgam Showkat Aijaz Bhat through a power point presentation briefed the meeting about the progress, achievements and future plans in the horticulture, agriculture, social welfare, RDD and other departments.It was given out that during the year 2018-19, 2.21 lakh MTS of apple crop was produced and in year 2019-20 the production will cross 2.30 lakh MTs.The meeting was also informed that the department of agriculture has developed two organic farming village and has produced 325 MTS of organic vegetables in these two villages and generated turnover of 97.50 lakh.
The district has a production of 221 quintals of honey while generating a turnover of 132.60 lakh and there are 44 mushroom cultivation units and there is expectation of 88 qts. of mushroom production. It was also given out that the district has produced 25,000 kg of cocoon. To boost the dairy sector in the district , 580 kanals of land have been identified for establishment of Indo-Swiss dairy farm at Ashmuji. The DDC apprised the Advisor about various initiatives, which requires to develop the agriculture and horticulture sectors in the district and was assured by the Advisor of all possible support on priority to make district model in the said sector.The meeting was informed that Under PM-KISAN, Rs 13.82 crore has been disbursed under DBT mode in two instalments. There are 67189 beneficiaries registered and 58818 beneficiaries are already uploaded whereas under PM-KMY several awareness camps at block level were organized and a total number of 1023 farmers are linked through it.Under Ayushman Bharat 44282 beneficiaries have been registered and 39420 cards have been issued.The DDC also briefed about the arrangements which have been put in place for smooth conduct of exams in the district. During the meeting, the Advisor stressed upon the officers to ensure quality education is being imparted to the students and to come up with a good number of model schools in the district.It was also given out that under Swachtta Hi Seva various sanitation activities were carried out in the district and several quintals of plastic was collected and dumped properly at dumping sites.On the occasion, Advisor Khan compliments District Administration for achievements and better results in various fields.