In order to review the overall performance of Agriculture and its allied sectors including Animal Husbandry, Sheep Husbandry, Sericulture and Fisheries sectors, District Development Commissioner Mohammad Nazir Sheikh convened a meeting with the concerned officers here today.The meeting was attended by Chief Planning Officer, Shama-Un Ahmed, Chief Animal Husbandry Officer, Mohd Younis, Chief Agriculture Officer, Janak Raj, District Sheep Husbandry Officer, Sarfaraz Naseem Chowdhary, District Sericulture Officer, Farhat Abbas, Area Development Manager, Omkarchand, Assistant Soil Conservation Officer, Shashikant Sharma, Assistant Director Fisheries, Basheer Ahmed Chowhan and District Manager ST/SC and OBC Abdul Qayoom.While reviewing the performance of Agriculture Department, the CAO informed that against the target of distribution of 7450 quintals of high variety seeds under Kharief crops, 4747 quintals of high variety seeds have been distributed for the year 2019-2020. Similarly under Rabi crops, against the target of 11706 quintals, 7687 quintals of high variety seeds have been distributed among the farmers in the district. He also informed that under PM KISAN, 83387 forms have been uploaded on the portal so far.About soil health cards, it was informed that about 200 soil health cards have been distributed in the year, 2019-20. Regarding the progress achieved under KCC, it was given out that the total cases received are 87724 out of which 77028 cases have been sanctioned. He also said that special awareness camps have been organised to aware people about Kissan Maan Dhan Yojana in all the blocks of the district and a massive public participation has been observed in these camps.Similarly progress under other agricultural schemes like SMAM, NFSM etc were also reviewed in detail.While taking stock of Sheep Husbandry Department, the concerned officer informed that total sheep and goat population in the district is 9.82 lakh.
While giving details of the activities carried out in the year 2019-20, the concerned officer briefed that 10 Ewes units have been established under district plan while 05 units have been established under state sector. He said that the total mutton and wool production for the year 2019-20 is 44.929 and 9.053 Metric tonnes respectively. He added that the department is in need of 285 dispensaries/sheep extension centre out of which only 61 have been established in the district. He highlighted the need of one equipped ambulance to cater emergencies in remote areas. He said that there is 89% shortage of medicines due to less budgetary allocation.While reviewing the progress under Animal Husbandry department, the concerned officer said that there are 114 veterinary centres in the district. He informed that 650 cases under livestock insurance scheme have been sanctioned. He further informed that under MAITRI scheme, 21unemployeed uneducated youth have been provided training for three months at accredited training institute in Punjab. He also said that under KCC, 542 cases have been sanctioned and 400 cases have been disbursed.Regarding Fisheries, the concerned officer informed about fish ponds and other assets in the district including fish farm at Bindi, fish farm at Muradpur, trout hatchery at Raqiban, watch hut at Thanamandi, trout rearing unit at Phalni. He informed that the department is constructing 08 low cost houses, 02 carp ponds and 02 trout rearing units under blue revolution scheme.
He also highlighted major issues which cause a threat to the life of fishes like mass extraction of river bed, use of bleaching powder, flow of effluents and other noxious substances in rivers etc.While reviewing Sericulture department, the concerned officer said that there are 16 mulberry nurseries in the district and area of mulberry nurseries is 26.10 hectares. He said that total mulberry wealth in the district is 14.44 lakh for the year 2019-20.He informed that total cocoon production is 122.577 Metric quintals for the year, 2019-20.He further informed that the department has 02 Cocoon markets and 26 Chawki rearing centre buildings in the district.Addressing the meeting, DDC impressed upon the concerned officers to make concerted efforts in providing best possible benefits to the general public of the district. He asked them to generate mass awareness among the common masses regarding various centrally sponsored and other schemes of their departments and also ensure that no eligible beneficiary is left out from availing the benefit under these schemes. He directed the concerned officers to bring in the notice of the district administration if any issue is impeding the progress of developmental activities, so that these issues can be taken up for redressal at the earliest.