Announces Handholding Of 500 Enterprising Farmers To Harness Potential Of Organic Produce
Jammu- The Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha said on Monday that his administration is giving a renewed thrust to organic farming to bring about a paradigm shift in agrarian policy, rural prosperity and improving the incomes and the quality of life of the farmers.
“We are making efforts to increase productivity through infusion of traditional knowledge, modern science and technology, providing improved marketing facilities and resolving several other issues like power, irrigation, cheaper credit and rural infrastructure,” Sinha said, as per an official spokesperson.
The LG made these remarks while inaugurating the five-day long ‘Kisan Mela’ at SKUAST, here on Monday, an official spokesperson said. He also laid foundation stone for newly sanctioned faculties of Horticulture & Forestry, Agricultural Engineering and Dairy Technology.
“A renewed thrust is being given to organic farming to bring about a paradigm shift in agrarian policy, rural prosperity and improving the incomes and the quality of life of the farmers,” the LG added.
According to the spokesperson, Sinha enlisted various initiatives taken by the government for the welfare of the farming community.
The LG, he said, also highlighted the farmer-centric reforms introduced by the government in the last two years to empower farmers of J&K, increasing their income manifold and making them AatmaNirbhar.
“The UT of J&K is now among the top five States/UTs in terms of farm income with a monthly income of Rs 18,918 per farmer,” the LG said, as per the spokesperson.
“Greater diversification into high-value crops, value addition through agro-processing and market-linkages are taking our agriculture & horticulture sector to new heights and ensuring inclusive growth process. The improved air connectivity has given new boost to the horticulture sector,” he added.
The LG, as per the spokesperson said that the Union Territory government is constantly striving to provide farmers with direct access to modern technologies, encouraging natural farming to improve profitability & sustainability in agriculture & allied sectors.
“Aggressive marketing & branding of local agri-products, mechanization in Agriculture and Horticulture sector, High-Density Plantation, diversification, better quality seeds, capacity buildings, GI Tagging, expansion of banking facilities, micro-irrigation has achieved rich dividends for farmers and have brought a structural change in agriculture and horticulture sector,” Sinha said.
“Vocal for Local has opened up a plethora of opportunities for everyone associated with the Agriculture & allied sectors to grow and prosper. We are also bringing National & International players on board for enhancing the knowledge expertise and providing global market linkages to J&K’s farming community,” he added.
The spokesperson said that the LG asked the Agriculture Universities of J&K to work on mission mode to connect more farmers with organic farming & horticulture and make them acquainted with the latest scientific know-hows.
Sinha, he said, also announced that 500 enterprising farmers will be provided with handholding, knowledge-based intervention every year to harness the potential of organic produce.
“Bridging the rural-gap is among the top priorities of the UT administration. A strong framework is being developed to increase employment and connect rural youth with the agriculture & horticulture industry. Administration will extend all possible support to the Youth involved in agricultural start-ups,” the LG said.
Sinha, as per the spokesperson said that special arrangements are being made to take Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana to all the farmers. He said that the government is also extending maximum financial help to the Farmer-Producer Organizations- FPO’s and exploring possibilities of micro-financing institutions to cater to the needs of the farmers of J&K.
“We have set a target to convert 5500 hectares of land into high density plantations in the next four years. Last year, we succeeded in planting apples in 320 hectares and sub-tropical fruits in 2400 hectares,” the LG said.
On this occasion, the spokesperson said that the LG congratulated the Agriculture Department for achieving an additional storage capacity of one lakh metric tonnes in just 18 months time.
Sinha, he said, also felicitated progressive farmers, entrepreneurs, media persons and meritorious students of the University.
He further said that the LG congratulated the University for bringing entrepreneurs, technocrats, policymakers and farmers from J&K, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, New Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand on a common platform.
“The exchange of ideas and knowledge will encourage agricultural innovation and motivate farmers to adopt productive techniques,” Sinha said, as per spokesperson.