‘Kisan Sampark Abhiyan’ at Poolia, Anantnag
STATE TIMES NEWS
ANANTNAG: Expressing strong belief that the path of all-round development passes through the villages, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Monday that Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) will ensure limitless potential and possibilities of development in the farming sector to change the destiny of rural Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing, a large gathering of farmers, agri-entrepreneurs and members of PRIs, during the ‘Kisan Sampark Abhiyan’ at Panchayat Halqa Poolia, Dooru at Anantnag, the Lieutenant Governor shared the efforts of the UT administration by keeping farmers at the centre of the policies to transform the agricultural economy.
The 4-month long Farmer Contact Campaign focuses on farmers’ orientation, skilling, handholding to ensure effective and efficient implementation of Holistic Agriculture Development Program (HADP) in J&K UT.
“The unprecedented progress and growth in Agriculture and Allied sectors in the UT is a testimony to our resolve that there should be prosperity in all the farming households and the steady, viable and profitable farming should inspire the young generations to take up farming,” said the Lt Governor.
Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are moving ahead with a vision to take the agriculture sector in J&K on a trajectory of high growth and prepare our farmers to meet new challenges and make farming accessible and profitable, he added.
The Lt Governor lauded the progressive farmers of the district and other stakeholder associated with agriculture and allied sectors for their contributions in Anantnag’s tremendous growth in agriculture and allied sector.
“All the ambitious and innovative interventions, whether it is revival of Mushkbudji or Yellow Revolution, is bearing fruit because of the impressive partnership between farmers and the administration and HADP will help the farmers to scale new heights,” said the Lt Governor.
Today, Anantnag has the unique distinction of being the trout district of the country and the leading district of the UT in terms of sericulture sector. We have made multiple interventions to boost production. We have established three new organic clusters and the first Farmers Producer Organization of fisheries sector in the district, besides processing and packaging units have been set up to promote trout farming on a large scale, he added.
The Lt Governor urged the farmers across the UT to actively participate in the Kisan Sampark Abhiyan and explore new possibilities of growth and prosperity.
“Holistic Agriculture Development Programme is a very ambitious program and we are confident of achieving the new milestones. Our firm resolve to bridge the rural-urban gaps has already produced many concrete initiatives and impressive development in agri and agro-based small industries,” the Lt Governor observed.
He emphasized on effective utilization of Agri-Infrastructure Fund and also assured every possible support and assistance from the administration to the farming community and the budding agri-preneurs.
“Our dream is not only to build a strong farming ecosystem, but also to create opportunities for employment and self-employment at the local level through HADP, create rural assets, strengthen self-help groups and make the 70 per cent population engaged in farming self-reliant,” he said.
Responding to the demands and issues projected by the PRI representatives and the farmers, the Lt Governor assured that all the genuine concerns of the people will be addressed on priority.
The Lt Governor also reiterated the government’s commitment to work for the welfare of the common man and not for the select few.
He further sought active participation of PRI members, common people and other stakeholders in the successful conduct of the upcoming G20 event. This is a great opportunity to showcase the real potential of the Union Territory to the world, he added.
Muhammad Yusuf Gorsi, Chairperson, DDC Anantnag and Mohammad Iqbal Ahangar, Chairman Municipal Committee Dooru hailed the efforts of the Lt Governor led administration for the welfare of the farmers and transforming the lives of the people. Progressive farmers also shared their success stories.
On the occasion, the Lt Governor distributed sanction letters to the beneficiaries of different Government Schemes.
Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Production Department; Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Vijay Kumar, ADGP Kashmir; PRI members, senior officials, HoDs and farmers in large numbers were present.