Srinagar- Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha said on Friday that his government has given special impetus to make agriculture system sustainable and profitable since 70% of the population is dependent on agriculture based economy in Jammu and Kashmir.
Sinha made these remarks while inaugurating a farmers awareness conference on the use of ‘Nano Urea’ organized by Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Ltd (IFFCO) here at SKICC, an official spokesperson said Friday.
The LG, he said, highlighted the farmer’s efforts in fulfilling the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and transition to sustainable alternatives to protect soil health, plants and environment.
Sinha, he said, congratulated the entire team of IFFCO for developing the world’s first Liquid Nano Urea.
“Sustainable farming is the only way forward to ensure food security and growth. Farmers are ultimate entrepreneurs and our effort is to provide them with better infrastructure, easy access to credit, access to modern machinery and benefits of agriculture extension services,” the LG said.
“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has become the fifth largest economy in the world overtaking England. It has also sent a strong message that a sustainable and innovative agricultural system is significant for the holistic growth of any region or nation,” he added.
The spokesperson said that the LG highlighted the reforms introduced in the agriculture sector in J&K and said that being an agriculture based economy and having more than 70% of the population dependent on agriculture, special impetus has been given to make J&K’s agriculture system sustainable and profitable.
“Introduction of progressive land reforms and efforts towards diversification, allied activities and high density plantation have enabled farmers with small land holdings to earn more,” the LG said.
“Integrated approach of farming has already been initiated and the government is promoting agro-based employment generating activities. Revival of traditional crops with market linkage support, GI tagging of local produce, high density plantation and allied activities have successfully brought prosperity for the farmers,” he added.
The LG, according to the spokesperson, highlighted that various strategies are being adopted for promotion of allied enterprises such as dairy farming, apiculture, sericulture and food processing in augmenting farmers income to reduce losses and open greater opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship.
Sinha, he said, underlined the need to make necessary interventions to ensure food security for the growing population and called on stakeholders to work on mission mode for effective implementation of the Millet mission, Exotic Vegetables Farming, promoting micro-irrigation and reducing crop waste.
According to the spokesperson, Dileep Sanghani, Chairman, IFFCO, speaking on the occasion said that IFFCO is continuously engaged in finding solutions to problems confronting the agriculture and allied sector.
“He informed that trials of the World’s first Nano Urea were conducted at more than 11000 places in every nook and corner of the country on around 94 crops,” he added.
The spokesperson further said that Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary, in his address said that J&K’s Agriculture Sector will emerge as a role model not only for the country but the whole world.
“A new J&K is recording unprecedented growth and development in every sector and is figuring as a top performer in several categories,” he added.