Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura today visited various areas of district Anantnag in South Kashmir and took stock of diverse activities being carried out by the sericulture and agriculture departments there. He also got took on spot stock of the losses caused to the various crops, vegetables and other allied sectors due to cloudbursts and incessant rains in the area.The Minister inspected Silk-cum-Seed Production Centre (SSPC) at Achabal, Kokernag and Bomdora Orchard Farm and reviewed their activities. He also visited Tangpawa Sagam and enquired from the farmers about the problems and difficulties faced by them in cultivation of Mushkibudej variety of rice.
The Minister directed the concerned to ensure distribution of fertilisers, pesticides and other incentives among the farmers cultivating Mushkibudej. He also asked the sericulture officers to ensure distribution of seed among the deserved farmers free of cost.At Silk-cum-Seed Production Centre, Achabal, the Minister was apprised that a comprehensive action plan has been formulated to upgrade and augment silkworm seed production facilities in the State. Under this programme six commercial Seed Production centres are being upgraded this year to enhance the production capacity of these centres. He was further informed that SSPC, Achabal is known for production of hi-yielding varieties of silkworm seeds and the centre caters to the seed requirement of the entire south Kashmir with some 50 seed producers linked with the centre.
During his visit to Bomdora Orchard, the Minister was highly impressed by the activities carried out by the unit holders. He said Jammu and Kashmir has huge potential for horticulture tourism which needs to be tapped fully. He asked the management of the Bomdora Farm to prepare documentary film on it to make the farmers aware of the latest technologies. Mr. Hanjura also stressed upon them to invite the farmers to visit the farm and motivate them for establishing similar orchard farms so that they can earn more profits.
Interacting with the farmers at different places including Sagam village, the Minister said the Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed is committed to address the people’s problems. He said several State and Centrally Sponsored Schemes have been launched in JK with the aim to improve the living standards of the farming community. He said the need of the hour is to accrue the benefits of these schemes to the farmers in time.The Minister directed the concerned to formulate a proposal for opening of Sub-Divisional Agriculture Office at Kokernag and submit the same to the Government for necessary action. He also asked the concerned to establish five apiculture and mushroom units in Kokernag constituency on priority.
Member Legislative Assembly, Kokernag Mr. Abdul Rahim Rather also spoke on the occasion. He demanded introduction of Crop Insurance Scheme in the State.Later, the Minister convened a meeting of the district officers and reviewed overall functioning of agriculture, sericulture, fisheries and horticulture departments besides the activities carried out by these departments in district Anantnag.Detailed discussion was held on various issues including Kalnag Potato Farm. The Minister directed the concerned to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for its upgradation.Addressing the meeting, the Minister directed the officers to organize awareness camps and inform general masses about the welfare schemes launched by the State and Central Governments. He also asked them to work with dedication and honesty. Mr. Hanjura directed the concerned to conduct field visits alongwith with the joint survey teams of revenue authorities and assess the losses caused to standing crop, vegetables and other crops. He also asked them to prepare the deserving beneficiary list and verify it from the concerned local representatives and display the same in local community facilities. He said agriculture is the backbone of the state’s economy and directed the agriculture and its allied wings to adopt modern techniques so that the maximum farmers can get benefited.Deputy Commissioner, Anantang Mr. Bashir Ahmad Khan, Director Agriculture Kashmir Mr. Mohammad Harun Malik, Director Sericulture Kashmir Dr. Farooq Ahmad Malik, Director Command Area, Kashmir Mr. Javeed Ahmad, Deputy Director, Law Enforcement Kashmir Mr. Mohammad Yasin Masoodi, Political Analyst to Chief Minister Mr. Waheed Parra and other officers of agriculture, sericulture, horticulture and command area development departments accompanied the Minister during his tour.