The Directorate of Agriculture Production and Farmers Welfare Jammu kick-starts Swachhta Pakhwada-2024 with an opening ceremony today at Krishi Bhawan, Talab Tillo, Jammu, featuring a cleanliness drive, a Swachhta pledge, and a plantation drive. This event marked the start of a 15-day campaign aimed at promoting cleanliness and environmental stewardship within the agricultural community.
The opening ceremony witnessed a Swachhata Pledge undertaken by Director Agriculture Jammu, Arvinder Singh Reen, along with Sectoral Heads, Chief Agriculture Officers, and staff members from the department. In his address, Arvinder Singh Reen emphasized the importance of capacity building for agriculture field officers and the need for a change in staff behavior to ensure the mission's success.
He stressed the necessity of public awareness campaigns aimed at farmers, focusing on farm waste management, waste segregation, and understanding the environmental impact of improper waste disposal. Director Agriculture directed officials to engage actively with the farmer community, encouraging initiatives such as Swachhta Banks and household compost-making.
He also urged the farming community of Jammu Division to actively participate in Swachhta Pakhwada, advocating for the adoption of safe agricultural practices and proper disposal of farm waste. The ceremony included a symbolic gesture with Director Reen planting a tree sapling as part of the ‘Ek Ped Shaheedon ke Naam’ campaign, emphasizing the importance of green initiatives in maintaining a cleaner and greener environment.
Throughout the Swachhta Pakhwada-2024, various activities will be organized, including Swachhta Pledge ceremonies at District level in Chief Agriculture Offices, Sub-Divisional, and Zonal Agriculture Offices. The campaign will also feature cleanliness drives at agricultural offices and Panchayat levels, as well as Swachhata Gram Sabhas.