Kashmir based members of Jammu and Kashmir Advisory Board for Development of Kissan (J&KABDK) held a meeting to assess the impact of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions on Agriculture, Horticulture, Dairy, Fish farming, Floriculture and other farmer related activities.Director General, Horticulture Department Kashmir, Aijaz Ahmad Bhat, chaired the meeting which was also attended by Director Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Department, Kashmir, Director, Animal Husbandry, Kashmir, Director Fisheries Department, Srinagar, MD JKHPMC and other concerned officials attended the meeting.Secretary J&K ABDK, Abdul Hamid Wani, presented a brief account of functioning of the Board during the meeting.While interacting with the Board members, Aijaz Ahmad Bhat said that the J&K government aspires to see the farmers marching towards prosperity and self-reliance. He said that the government is working under a well knit plan towards addressing the Covid-19 lockdown implications on Agriculture, Horticulture, Dairy, Fish farming, Floriculture and other related activities so that target of doubling the income of farmers is not affected.
In this regard, he made a mention of several steps like streamlining of department of Agriculture Kashmir, JKHPMC and Horticulture department, launch of marketing campaign for vegetables and fruits, providing refrigeration vans for carrying fresh vegetables and fruits directly to the end users besides other similar initiatives.The meeting also deliberated on other issues like import of dry fodder, silage and cattle feed from Punjab and Haryana which has direct impact on the rates of milk.The Board members suggested that in house production and promotion of fodder and feed is the only solution which will not only boost the economy of J&K but enhance the farmer’s income manifold. Hence there is a need to motivate and encourage the local unemployed youth for starting feed and fodder manufacturing units.It was informed that the department of Animal Husbandry is in process to promote and encourage good quality HF and also Jersey cattle breed locally for which the Bulls have been already imported from Germany.Regarding onset of paddy cultivation in the Valley, the Board reviewed preparedness of Irrigation and Flood Control department. It was informed that de-silting of main canals, distributaries and minors is being undertaken as per the pre-planned arrangements by the department.Director, Agriculture Department Kashmir, emphasized on organizing awareness programmes in rural areas at the vulnerable locations in coordination with Irrigation department to educate farmers for judicious use of water and proper maintenance of canals by refraining from polluting them.