Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 15: Daljit Singh Chib, Vice Chairman, J&K State Advisory Board for Development of Kissans convened a meeting here, today to discuss various issues of farmers and preparation being made regarding coming Kharif season.
Board members discussed various issues in the meeting and it was decided to present the problems of farmers before concerned departments for redressal.
The need of permanent procurement mandies is urgent and should be established at the earliest so that farmers can be saved from distress sale. It was also discussed that concerned department may be directed to ensure timely supply of seed and fertilizers in coming Kharif season. The Board members expressed concern over shortage of fertilizer supply in Kashmir Valley and also decided to promote the balanced use of fertilizers among farmers and there is need to promote NPK fertilizer mixtures and new concepts like Nano Fertilizers among farmers.
They expressed concern that subsidy on seed and farm machinery should be increased as seed is major input and there is need to promote mechanization among farmers to increase their farm productivity. It was also stressed on motivating youth to make agriculture their profession and for this there is need to frame a comprehensive Agri entrepreneur Policy.
Board members expressed concern that compensation for agriculture lands coming under Ring Road and National Highways should be given on prevailing market rates . Besides, issue of monkey menace, high rates of chicks in poultry, marketing issues, etc also came up for discussion.
Vice Chairman suggested that a Farmers Society be constituted which should be given mandate to export Basmati rice, Saffron.
He also suggested that separate platforms in various mandies and locations should be demarcated especially to set up flower mandies in Jammu region. He advised Board members to educate farmers to adopt integrated farming model so that dream of Prime Minister to double farmers income by 2022 can be achieved.
He assured board members that all issues will be taken up with concerned departments and these issues will also be made part of agenda in coming Board meeting to be chaired by Chief Minister. Secretary Kissan Board A.H Wani, SS Sambyal (Ex Director Agriculture) Board members D.P Khajuria (Ex Director Agriculture), Tajinder Singh, Satpal Charak, Prakash Singh, Rakesh Anthal, Chain Singh, G.R War among others attended the meeting.
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