Seek industry status for agriculture, horticulture sectors
Bivek Mathur
JAMMU, Mar 24: Several Members of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly today demanded that there should be a strict check on the sale of spurious insecticides, pesticides, fungicides, and fertilizers in the Union Territory as they associated their use with the losses to the agricultural and horticultural crops besides life-threatening diseases in the human beings.
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The MLAs also wished that a testing lab be established at the entry point of Jammu and Kashmir-Lakhanpur-from where no low-quality insecticide, pesticide, fungicide or fertilizer is allowed to enter the region without proper quality checks.
The legislators also demanded industry status for important sectors like agriculture and horticulture in the UT, claiming a large chunk of population depends on these important departments for their survival.
During discussion on the grants of Agriculture Production, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Cooperatives and Election Departments, the lone Peoples Conference (PC) MLA Sajjad Gani Lone claimed that the budgetary allocation for Agriculture and Horticulture Department is comparatively less.
“This sector has scope of generating employment. As such, the allocation of this important sector should be raised,” demanded Lone.
Claiming that the spurious insecticides and pesticides are posing a massive threat to the human beings, he demanded that those selling the low-quality insecticides and pesticides be given 1-2 years punishment.
NC legislator from Lolab Assembly constituency, Qaiser Jamshed Lone demanded that the Machil area in his constituency be declared as organic zone as it produces the fine quality organic Rajmah and potatoes.
He also demanded that the results for various SBM posts, for which written tests and interviews have concluded long back, be declared soon.
BJP MLA from Jammu North Assembly Constituency, Sham Lal Sharma raised the concern of pending elections of local bodies and Panchayats and lack of Gram Sabhas in J&K.
He said if CAG takes notice of lack of Gram Sabhas, it would be difficult for the Government to answer how the drawl of funds has occurred for various RDD works.
NC MLA from Zainapora (Wachi) Assembly constituency, Showkat Ahmad Ganie raised the issue of apprehensions among the farmers regarding the lifting of import duty on American apple and annexation of farmers’ lands in Kashmir for the railway projects.
“The Government must speak with the farmers to allay their fears,” he said.
Ganie also raised the issues of sale of sub-standard pesticides, insecticides, and fertilizers in the UT, claiming the Departmental staff hardly check these chemicals being openly sold in the market. He sought increased vigil on the sale of the chemicals.
PDP MLA Waheed ur Rehman Para from Pulwama raised concerns in the Assembly about the impact of substandard pesticides on Kashmir’s agriculture, particularly the apple industry.
He emphasized that inferior pesticides are causing significant losses in crop yield and quality.
Para urged the Government to establish an Enforcement Directorate within the Horticulture Department to enforce strict quality control and regulate pesticide use.
NC MLA from Gurez, Nazir Ahmed Khan, popularly known as Nazir Gurezi demanded that efforts should be made to make J&K self-reliant in milk and mutton production.
He also demanded that the casual labourers in the Animal and Sheep Husbandry department are either regularised or paid dignified minimum wages.
BJP MLA from RS Pura-Jammu South, Dr Narinder Singh highlighted the importance of agriculture in Jammu & Kashmir’s economy.
He emphasized improving irrigation, including the fast-tracked Ravi canal project, and promoting contract farming and agro-tourism.
Singh advocated for value-added crops like Basmati and Saffron to increase exports and called for Government support in the form of tax rebates on farming equipment and transport waivers.
He also suggested implementing agro-forestry models, optimizing the cooperative system, and utilizing diverse climatic zones to boost agricultural productivity and economic growth.
Independent legislator from Shopian, Shabbir Ahmed Kulley demanded that efforts should be made to promote the Horticulture sector in the region as claimed that this is a Rs 9000-11000 Crores industry with 5-6 lakh families directly or indirectly relying on the horticultural activities.
BJP legislator from Kathua’s Jasrota Assembly segment Rajiv Jasrotia demanded that private fertilizers entering the region be checked before being distributed to the farmers.
He demanded a testing facility at the entry point, Lakhanpur to check the sale of sub-standard fertilizers.
BJP MLA Gharu Ram from Suchetgarh Assembly Constituency laid emphasis on crop diversification.
He further demanded that the agricultural universities should conduct area-specific surveys to develop and process the agricultural products accordingly.
He also demanded Central University status for the Agricultural Universities.
NC MLA from Pampore, Justice (Retd) Hasnain Masoodi also laid focus on crop shifting for maximum yield and benefits to the farmers.
He also sought proper enforcement to check the quality of pesticides, insecticides and fungicides besides seeking a sustainable development.
NC MLA Pirzada Farooq Ahmed Shah requested the Government to send the Departmental officers to the European countries to learn their best agricultural and horticultural practices for reforms in J&K.
Another NC MLA from Rajpora Assembly constituency Gh Mohi-ud-Din Mir demanded that the horticulture sector be included under the crop insurance scheme for benefits to the horticulturalists.
He also requested the Government to give tourism status to the horticulture industry like the tourism industry besides seeking efforts for promotion of Horticultural tourism in the region.
BJP MLA from Doda West Assembly Constituency, Shakti Raj Parihar demanded proper promotion of Bhaderwahi Rajmah, upgradation of Khelaini Pernote vegetable market and delimitation of panchayats before the Panchayat polls.
Another BJP MLA from Marh, Surinder Bhagat demanded that the panchayats close to the International Border (IB) must be given relaxation from the biometric attendance due to lack of proper internet facility in these areas.
He also demanded that the PMAY deadline be extended to provide the benefits to the left out beneficiaries.
Independent legislator from Inderwal Assembly constituency Pyare Lal Sharma sought more awareness camps for the farmers and imparting of the knowledge of technological interventions and Government schemes to them besides an increase in the PMAY amount sanctioned to the house-less poor people.
BJP MLA from Samba Assembly Constituency, Surjeet Singh Slathia laid focus on quality of works under the RDD and PR Department, strengthening of Gram Sabhas, and clearance of the pending liabilities against the RDD works executed in the year 2017-18.
NC MLA Javed Beigh demanded mode villages in every block so that a culture is developed to develop all the villages of the UT on similar lines.
He also requested the Government for establishing a Horticulture university besides giving a push to the animal and sheep husbandry, and poultry sectors.
Congress legislator Nizzamuddin Bhat said that the social needs must not become impediments in the progress of the UT.
He demanded a cooperative approach to address the challenges in progress and protection of natural resources alongside development.
NC MLA Mubark Gul raised the concern of rampant conversion of the agriculture land for the commercial purposes.
He wished that a new law be enacted to stop these conversions or the existing laws be enforced strictly.
He demanded that the agriculture and horticulture sectors be given industry status.
Claiming that the spurious pesticides and fertilizers are posing a grave threat to the agricultural and horticultural crops and their consumers, Gul demanded a strong check on their sale.
He also demanded that the youth opting agriculture or agriculture be given stipend.
Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader and MLA Dooru, GA Mir sought an increase in the honorarium of the Panchyati Raj representatives, increase in the wages and workdays under MGNREGA scheme from 100 to 150 days, and proper marketing support for Basmati and Saffron crops.
NC MLA from Ramban Assembly segment, Arjun Singh Raju sought increase in daily wages of the daily wagers.
Raju also demanded Fruit Processing Units (FPUs) in Ramban besides raising concern over a Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) sanctioned for the Ramban district long back which is yet to be constructed.
NC MLA from Kangan Mian Mehar Ali demanded proper policy for the promotion of wool so that the wool producers get adequate price for their produce.
BJP MLA from Bishnah, Rajiv Bhagat, demanded timely subsidy to the farmers, bifurcation of ration cards so that the left out beneficiaries are given the benefits of the PMAY along with other social sector schemes.
He also sought waiver on the power arrears of the border farmers under the amnesty scheme.
AIP MLA from Langate Assembly constituency sought clearance of the transporters’ liabilities, check on conversion of agricultural and horticultural land for commercial purposes, and clearance of the pending MGNREGA liabilities.
NC MLA Hilal Akbar Lone from Sonawari Assembly segment raised serious concerns over the recent spotting of wild boars on Kashmir lands.
“They have never been spotted before. These animals are destroying our agricultural and horticultural crops.
A strategy should be chalked out immediately to check their menace,” he demanded.
He also sought cold storage facility in Kashmir besides proper hostel facility for the SKUAST students.
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