Excelsior Correspondent
![Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Minister of PHE Taj-Mohi-ud-Din inaugurating re-activated Lethpora irrigation scheme on Saturday.](http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/page539-150x150.jpg)
LETHPORA (PULWAMA), Sept 29: Describing better irrigation imperative to catapult agriculture production and bringing greenery to parched and uncultivated land, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah today said that his Government has focused development of agriculture as one of the important concerns in the development policy, adding that enhancement of irrigation facilities is receiving added attention.
Inaugurating re-activated Lethpora irrigation scheme here this morning, the Chief Minister said that self sufficiency in agriculture produce is a must to achieve economic growth and ensure holistic development.
Omar said that besides encouraging use of modern farm technology and cultivation of improved seed varieties Government is paying due attention to increase the irrigation facilities across the State. He asked the farmers to take to modern concept of cultivation and take advantage of the schemes put in place by the Government for the welfare of farming community. He asked the farmers to utilize high yielding seed varieties, balanced dozes of fertilizers and optimal irrigation facilities to help raise per hectare production and productivity.
The Chief Minister said that agriculture sector has been kept outside the ambit of tax regime to encourage young entrepreneurs to take up MSME units in the field which promises vast opportunity and greater potential for investment. He said that this measure is also to benefit the farmers.
Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Taj Mohi-ud-Din, who was also present on the occasion, highlighted the importance of Lethpora re-activated irrigation scheme and said that it would help to enhance agriculture activities in the area and boost up production along with economic welfare of the people.
Lethpora re-activated irrigation scheme will benefit the Lethpora, Ladhu, Shar, Mandakpal, Megh, Khrew, Wuyan, Barsoo, Androosa, Khrum and Khanmoh by providing additional irrigation facilities. It will also help cultivation of saffron in 1780 hectares from Lethpora to Wuyan. The Lethpora irrigation scheme will help cultivation of 4400 acres in Kharief and 3500 acres in Rabi seasons through 21 kilometer of main canal with 14 kilometers of distributaries.