Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 10: Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura has stressed upon the Agriculture Department to produce quality seed in the departmental farms to meet the needs of the farmers.
The Minister issued the directions during his visit to the Seed Multiplication Farm, Chinore along with team of senior officers of the department. He had an overview of various Kharif Season crops sown for seed production.
The Minister took round of various blocks and fields and inspected the standing crop and other ongoing farm operations. He inspected the mechanized harvesting of Paddy K-343 with combines and standing crop of Paddy Basmati 370 and expressed satisfaction over the work being carried out by the staff there.
Asserting that there was enough scope to boost production and bring down the cost of cultivation, he said Government will make every effort to improve the condition of the farming community through all required interventions.
Ashok Kumar Malhotra, Director Agriculture, Jammu who accompanied the Agriculture Minister apprised him of the strides made in the quality seed production of crops at the farm despite all odds including limited irrigation facilities.
SMS-I (I/C Farms), Onkar Singh Choudhary, apprised that the latest breeder seed varieties of wheat and 4 minikit trial varieties of mustard are being sown to check their performance in the local conditions during the ensuing Rabi 2016-17 cropping season. He said that Toria crop has been sown in an area of 22.5 acres for quality seed production.
Farm Manager, Narender Mishra, highlighted various problems being faced at the farm. He said that there was immediate need for upgrading infrastructure including fencing, tube wells, road connectivity and accommodation for the staff.
The Minister assured to solve the problems regarding working condition of the employees at the farm who are doing hard work round the clock.
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