LG Manoj Sinha inaugurates two-day multi-stakeholder convention on holistic agriculture in Srinagar
STATE TIMES NEWS
Inaugurated a two-day multi-stakeholder convention today on holistic agriculture in Srinagar. The historic conference seeks to build innovative structures for holistic development of Agri& allied sector in J&K with the help of renowned Scientists & Policy planners of the country.
A high-powered committee of agricultural scientists will be formed under the chairmanship of renowned scientist, Dr. Mangala Rai to prepare a futuristic roadmap for accelerated development of Agri & allied sectors and making farming viable, steady & sustainable.
Another challenge before us is to increase income of farmers through growth in Dairy, Fisheries and livestock. We need a sustained effort for investment in dairy sector to enhance processing of milk from 1.5 lakh litre to 5 lakh litre in next three years.
We are also focusing on higher investment in agro-based industries. High-value crops, greater value addition will provide a boost to this industry. Our prime objective is to double the Agri & allied sector’s contribution to GSDP.
85% farmers have smaller landholdings. Economically viable innovative solutions to enhance productivity of small & marginal farmers are need of the hour. We need to bridge the gap between goals achieved and achievable, we need to strengthen extension services & quality inputs.
We need to increase export while maintaining food security. We need to streamline farm practices to ensure better incentive to farmers. We need to streamline value addition technology for food processing, packaging, market outreach and minimize post-harvest wastages.
The acceleration of agricultural reforms by Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi Ji seems to bearing fruit & average farm income rose & J&K figures in top 5 states/UTs. However, filling the policy vacuum of last many decades in Agri sector requires concerted efforts of all stakeholders.
We have initiated area-specific strategies to enhance productivity, post-harvest technology, credit support, market access and to bring about sustainable revolution in Agri & allied sectors. Each step is being taken in order to ensure farmers prosperity that benefits all.
Agriculture Infrastructure fund launched by Hon’ble PM will be instrumental in solving critical gaps in Agri & allied sectors. While utilizing the money provided by the Union Govt, emphasis should be laid on processing, value addition and handholding of entrepreneurs.
We are steadily strengthening the institution of Cooperative societies in the UT. These societies will be instrumental in bridging investment, credit and infrastructure deficit and help in effective action plan for the future.
Experts, policy planners vision, technological ability, focused inter-sectoral approaches & administrative efficiency is key to take our Agri & allied sectors to new heights & change the lives of millions of farmers, tweets official Twitter profile of LG J&K
