J&K to become number one region in terms of farmers’ income in next 4 years: LG

STATE TIMES NEWS

BARAMULLA: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday expressed confidence that with the hard-work of farmers, extension of scientific knowledge and technologies, by tapping the potential of diversification and intercropping and robust linkages for end-to-end operations, from sowing to selling, Jammu and Kashmir will become the number one region in terms of farmer’s income in the next 4 years.
“It is a golden era for agriculture and allied sector and I am confident the exponential growth in agriculture sector will contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat,” the Lt Governor said after inaugurating the ‘Rabi Campaign- sowing of Rabi Crops’ during the Sankalp Saptaah at Aspirational Block Singhpora in Baramulla District.
He extended his felicitations to the farmers and directed the officials to ensure timely supply of critical inputs, fertilizers, facilitation of innovative technologies to enhance production for self sufficiency in oilseeds and pulses
Sharing the efforts of the UT Administration in bringing a paradigm shift in cultivation of Rabi crops, Sinha said that during the previous Rabi season, Kashmir Division for the first time had witnessed yellow revolution and an area of 1.4 Lakh hectares was brought under mustard cultivation. Upto Rabi 2020-21, about 70 per cent of cultivable land used to remain fallow in Rabi season, he added.
The Rabi cropping intensity in Kashmir Division has increased rapidly. In 2022-23, farmers harvested 2027 MT of Rabi Crops which realised the estimated revenue of Rs.5000 Crore, he said.
Highlighting the significant impact of Holistic Agriculture Development Program (HADP) on agriculture sector, the Lt Governor said that under the revolutionary intervention, the farmers of J&K are being encouraged to join Agri Stack and use innovative and sustainable solutions available across the country as per their needs.
A sustainable mechanism is also being developed through technological interventions to provide doorstep delivery of services and necessary information to farmers, he added.
At the inaugural ceremony, the Lt Governor directed the officials to make dedicated efforts to establish Primary Agriculture Credit Societies (PACS) in every Panchayat.
Cooperative sector holds immense capacity for agricultural growth and prosperity. The penetration of PACS and Farmer Producer Organizations at grassroots level will bring stability and sustainability to production, value addition in Agriculture and Allied Sector, he said.
Training and capacity building programmes are also playing an important role in increasing farm productivity. Leave no farmer behind. Officials should ensure all the farmers are registered on Daksh portal and all possible assistance, benefits provided to them, the Lt Governor said.
The Lt Governor inaugurated a Custom Hiring Centre and handed over sanction letters to the beneficiaries under various schemes. He also visited the stalls put up by farmers, agri-entrepreneurs and government departments.
On the occasion, progressive farmers also shared their success stories and expressed gratitude to the administration for extending support and assistance to them.
Dr Nazir Ahmed Ganai, Vice Chancellor SKUAST Kashmir; Shailender Kumar, Principal Secretary Agriculture Production Department; Dr Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Lt Governor; Vijay Bidhuri, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Dr Syed Sehrish Asgar, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla; Chowdhary Mohammad Iqbal, Director Agriculture Kashmir; PRI members, senior officers, farmers and a large number of people were present.