*Says Kishtwar to get Saffron Park soon
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 4: Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Radha Mohan Singh today inaugurated Kissan Mela-cum-Exhibition at SKUAST-K here.
The Kissan Mela on theme “Doubling Farmers’ income by 2022″ was organized by the SKUAST-K in collaboration with Department of Agriculture, J&K Government sponsored by DAC&FW, ICAR, J&K Self-Reliant Central level Co-op Association and J&K Pesticide Distribution and Dealers Association.
Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura, Minister for Animal & Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries Abdul Gani Kohli, Minister of State for Agriculture Sunil Kumar Sharma, Member Parliament Shamsher Singh Manhas, VC Kisan Advisory Board Daljit Singh Chib, MLA Mohammad Ashraf Mir, VC, MSME and Zonal Member, Khadi Village Industrial Commission (KVIC) North Zone Dr Hina Shafi Bhat, besides Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-K Dr Nazer Ahmad, officers from Union and State Agriculture Department, ICAR scientists, faculty, students and large number of farmers were present on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering after inaugurating the Mela, the Union Minister said the aim of organizing Kissan Mela was to sensitize the farmers about new technology and high yielding variety of seeds being introduced in the agriculture and allied sectors to increase productivity. He said it would go a long way in increasing the income of the farming community. He called for organizing more such Melas across the State to acquaint the farmers about the latest techniques being used in farming sector.
The Union Minister said that Prime Minister is keen to make the J&K State self-sufficient in agriculture production, adding that for the purpose various schemes have been launched in the State for the development and promotion of agriculture sector.
Referring to the decision taken by the National Horticulture Board to establish the Saffron Park at Pampore, the Union Minister said a saffron park would also be established at Kishtwar which will be equipped with quality testing lab, export based activities and e-auction facility centre.
Earlier, the Union Minister laid the foundation stone of boys hostel at SKUAST-K. The 3-storey building with state-of-the-art facilities would be constructed at a cost of Rs. 530 crore. He also inspected laboratory of SKUAST-K and got first hand appraisal of the functioning of it.
Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura and Minister of State for Agriculture Sunil Kumar Sharma also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the steps being taken by the State Government for boosting the agriculture production.
Meanwhile, Union Minister conveyed a meeting with State Agricultural and its allied sectors officials to review the overall scenario of the sectors.
The Union Minister asked the concerned for accelerating the pace of developmental work being executed under the sectors ensuring their timely completion. He also called for submission of Utilization Certificate for further release of funds from the Centre. He called upon them to formulated schemes in coordination with line departments like Agriculture, SKUAST and ICAR for the benefit of the farmers. He asked the concerned for redressing the issues with regard to farmers’ welfare on priority.
Directing the concerned for establishing Soil Testing Labs at block levels for the convenience of farmers, Singh asked for speeding up the process of soil testing, activating all soil testing lab and collecting sample for the second round of the soil testing. He stressed for better synergy and coordination within the departments and directed the concerned for taking quarterly revive meetings to make sure hassle free implementation of farmer welfare schemes. He also stressed for increasing micro irrigation programs across the state.
Seeking details regarding the utilization of funds schemes-wise, the Minister was informed that an amount of Rs. 449.26 crore was allocated under various Centrally Sponsored Schemes during 2016-17 and Rs. 110.19 crore stands expended against the released amount of Rs 190.64 crore so far.
Earlier, through power point presentation, the Principal Secretary, Agriculture Production Department J&K Sandeep K Nayak informed the Union Minister about the measures being taken for the development of agriculture sector. He also informed about the initiatives being taken for the betterment of farmers and to double their income by 2022.
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