Government supplying better seeds to Kashmir farmers

Work is on to provide seeds of potato, maize, onion and other seedlings to farmers of Jammu and Kashmir well in time so that they can avail the benefits of improved seeds to increase their production.

Chowdhary Mohammad Iqbal, Director of Agriculture Kashmir, chaired a meeting of officers of Shopian district on Sunday to review the physical and financial progress of centrally-sponsored schemes, flagship programmes and CAPEX budget.

During the meeting, different centrally-sponsored schemes (CSSs) being implemented by the department including RKVY, MIDH, ATMA, NFSM, PM KISAN, Soil Health Card Scheme and KISAN Credit Card Scheme were discussed in detail.

Addressing the meeting, Iqbal impressed upon the concerned officers that expenditure under different centrally-sponsored schemes must be judiciously and fully utilized for the welfare of farmers and the development of the farming sector in a time-bound manner.

He emphasised the officers of the agriculture department for providing seeds of potato, maize, onion and other seedlings to farmers well in time so that they can avail the benefits of improved seeds to increase their production.

The Director asked the officers to take feedback from the farmers regarding the implementation of different CSSs. He exhorted the officers to work for the change of fortune of the farming community by adopting an innovative approach in their work style.

He highlighted the importance of minimizing the use of chemical fertilizers and asked the officers to increase awareness among the farmers regarding the soil health card scheme.

Later, the Director visited Devpora Shopian to listen to the issues and demands of the people of the area and to assess the facilities being provided to them by the Department of Agriculture.

The Director attended an awareness programme on Nano Urea at Devpora Shopian as a chief guest. The programme was organised by IFFCO.

He also announced the setting up of a water harvesting tank and Bore Wells for the village and asked the farmers to diversify their operations and adopt an integrated approach to farming so that the agriculture sector could touch new heights.

Iqbal said that Agriculture is a sector that has huge potential and could contribute to the socioeconomic development of the region in a tremendous way.