Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Agriculture Production Department (APD), Atal Dulloo today chaired a meeting to review implementation of government schemes that are aimed at promoting agriculture infrastructure in the state.
The schemes reviewed in the meeting included the Agricultural Infrastructure Fund (AIF), Agriculture and Horticulture Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF), Fisheries Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), National Horticulture Board (NHB), Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), National Livestock Mission (NLM) and Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM).
During the meeting, the status of various projects submitted by entrepreneurs for seeking loans under the different funds was presented before the ACS. He expressed his displeasure over the low rate of loan approvals and directed the officials to facilitate the approval and disbursal process with the least hassle to the beneficiaries.
The ACS also discussed establishment of sheep-goat breeding farms, breeding development of poultry, feed and fodder development and several other activities under NLM.
He emphasised the need for encouraging the Jammu-based entrepreneurs to participate more in these activities. He noted that bull production and breed multiplication farms under NLM have received a good response from entrepreneurs.
Similar response has been witnessed in the fisheries sector, as well. With regard to the fisheries sector, Atal Dulloo stressed on extending the benefits of RAS technology to maximum number of eligible persons, stating that each set up can employ around a hundred people.
The meeting also reviewed projects including establishment of integrated pack houses, nurseries under MIDH; and CA stores, food processing units under PMDP. Referring to the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, Dulloo said that projects are verified by PMU and thereby attest their feasibility.
Banks should readily entertain such applications, he said. The ACS also discussed other projects like opening of cold stores, logistic facilities, mushroom farms, packaging units, silos, warehouses etc that have been proposed to be set up by entrepreneurs of J&K and their status under various schemes.
He also took feedback from officers from the National Horticulture Board on the developments under their respective schemes. Atal Dulloo emphasised that the government is encouraging entrepreneurship and banks must come together with the government to reach the common goal.
He also took feedback from bankers on why loans have been rejected to several applicants. He discussed individual cases and the discrepancies in them. The meeting was attended by Secretary in Agriculture Production Department, Shabnam Kamili; Director Agriculture Jammu, KK Sharma; Director Horticulture, Ram Savak; Director Animal Husbandry, Shubhra Sharma and Director Horticulture (PM), Vikas Sharma.
Corresponding officers from Kashmir, including Director Horticulture Kashmir, G R Mir and others participate through video conference.