Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Department, Javid Ahmad Dar, today paid obeisance at the revered shrine of Syed Mewaan Shah Qalander (RA) at Dalora, Rafiabad and offered prayers for lasting peace, prosperity and progress of Jammu and Kashmir and the country.
During his visit to the shrine, the Minister prayed for communal harmony, wellbeing of the people and sustained development across the region. He also interacted with the shrine caretaker and devotees, underscoring the vital role of such spiritual institutions in preserving the Valley’s rich ethos of brotherhood, tolerance and social cohesion.
Later, the Minister visited the Horticulture Department facility, where he undertook a detailed review of the infrastructure and support services being extended to the orchardists and farmers of the area. He inspected the available facilities and sought firsthand feedback regarding the schemes and technical assistance being provided to the farming community.
Emphasising the immense significance of horticulture as a key driver of Jammu and Kashmir’s rural economy, the Minister directed the concerned officers to ensure efficient delivery of services, timely technical guidance and enhanced outreach to farmers so that they are able to fully benefit from the government welfare and developmental initiatives.
He reiterated the government’s firm commitment towards strengthening the horticulture sector through modernisation, capacity building and improved institutional support. He said that sustained efforts are being made to empower the farmers, enhance productivity and create better livelihood opportunities across the Union Territory.
The Minister stressed the need for proactive field-level monitoring and close coordination among the departmental functionaries to effectively address the concerns of farmers and accelerate the implementation of developmental programmes at the grassroots level.