Jammu: Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday said his administration is giving a renewed thrust to organic farming to bring a paradigm shift in agrarian policy, rural prosperity and improving the income and quality of life of farmers.
He said 500 enterprising farmers will be provided with handholding and knowledge-based intervention every year to harness the potential of organic produce in the Union territory.
Sinha was speaking after inaugurating ‘Kissan Mela’ at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Jammu.
He laid the foundation stone for the newly-sanctioned faculties of horticulture and forestry, agricultural engineering and dairy technology.
According to an official press release, 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, he added.
The LG enlisted various initiatives taken by the government for the welfare of the farming community.
“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,” the LG said.
“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,” he added.
The LG 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, he added.
Greater diversification into high-value crops, value addition through agro-processing and market-linkages are taking our agriculture and horticulture sector to new heights and ensuring inclusive growth process. The improved air connectivity has given a new boost to the horticulture sector, the LG said.
He said the UT government is constantly striving to provide farmers with direct access to modern technologies, encouraging natural farming to improve profitability and sustainability in agriculture and allied sectors.
Aggressive marketing and 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, he added.
‘Vocal for Local’ has opened up a plethora of opportunities for everyone associated with the agriculture and allied sectors to grow and prosper. “We are also bringing national and international players on board for enhancing the knowledge expertise and providing global market linkages to J&K’s farming community,” the LG added.
He asked the agriculture universities of J&K to work on mission mode to connect more farmers with organic farming and horticulture and make them acquainted with the latest scientific know-hows.
“500 enterprising farmers will be provided with handholding, knowledge-based intervention every year to harness the potential of organic produce,” the LG announced.
“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 and horticulture industry. Administration will extend all possible support to the youth involved in agricultural start-ups,” the LG observed.
“Special arrangements are being made to take Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana to all the farmers. We are 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,” the LG said.
“We have set a target to convert 5,500 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 2,400 hectares,” he added.
The LG congratulated the Agriculture department for achieving an additional storage capacity of one lakh metric tonnes in just 18 months time.
The LG also felicitated progressive farmers, entrepreneurs, media persons and meritorious students of the university.
The Kisan Mela-2022 is being organized in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Floriculture, Sheep Husbandry, Sericulture, Fisheries, Command Area Development, etc.
