To review the preparations made by District Administration Kathua to facilitate farmers during the upcoming harvesting season, Principal Secretary, Animal and Sheep Husbandry Department, Navin Choudhary today discussed the arrangements with the officers of Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Husbandry departments.He directed the District Administration to facilitate free movement of Combine Harvester and other Farm Machinery from outside the UT so that farmers can reap their yield on time. He also directed the officers to mandatorily wear masks and maintain safe physical distancing while visiting farm fields. Agricultural inputs viz. Seeds, Pesticides, Fertilizers, Farm Machinery has been categorised as essential items and it is obligatory on part of District Administration that shops supplying these items function daily, Navin said.He also inquired about the status of procurement mandis in the district and advised the officers to devise ways so as to facilitate farmers during this restriction period for the survival of agri-economy.To help the fruit and vegetable farmers, Choudhary directed the DDC Kathua, O P Bhagat to notify open spaces for selling their produce and the same can be imitated at block levels after following all the Government directives issued from time to time regarding safe distancing.
He also asked the officers to ensure that poultry shops also follow all the advisories and maintain social distancing at these shops.The DDC was directed to review the availability of Seeds, Fertilisers and Pesticides in advance for the Rabi season and formulate a transport plan well before hand to facilitate farmers in sowing their next crop.During the ensuing rainy season, Choudhary directed the Agriculture and Horticulture officer to achieve target of planting one lakh saplings and promote Bamboo and Aloe Vera farming in rain fed areas of the district.For doubling of farmers income, Navin stressed on promoting integrated farming among the farmers and develop cluster villages for growing a particular crop so that market for their produce can be readily available.He also directed the officers of Agriculture, Horticulture, Sheep and Animal Husbandry department to prepare an atlas of the district mentioning the scope of these departments.Issues related to availability of water in the canals between Rabi and Kharif season for farmers to grow vegetables and other crops were also discussed threadbare.Director Agriculture Jammu, Inderjeet, Director CAD, Smita Sethi, CAO, CAHO, DSHO, DAEO, DHO and other concerned district officers were also present in the meeting.