Govt taking steps to double farmers income by 2022: Hanjura

Lays foundation of KVK admin block in Budgam

            SRINAGAR, JUNE 08: Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura, today laid foundation stone of administrative-cum-laboratory block of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) at Haran in district Budgam.

          The double story building will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 1.48 crore with a completion target ending this fiscal. 

          Vice Chancellor SKAUST Kashmir Prof. Nazir Ahmad, District Development Commissioner Budgam Mohammad Hussain Haroon, Director Agriculture Kashmir Altaf Aijaz Andrabi, Senior Officers of Agriculture, SKAUST and other concerned Departments were present on the occasion.

          The Minister said that the work of KVK is significant regarding agriculture as it provides relevant information to farmers about advanced agriculture techniques through various training programmes.

          He expressed hope that Budgam district, which is largely dependent on agriculture, will be provided important agricultural information by this centre to all its villages. He called upon the KVK functionaries that it should work for providing latest technologies to the farming community. He said KVK should develop such model so that it helps in improving the sources of livelihood of the locals farmers. 

          Hanjura said this Kendra would work extensively on rice cultivation, production of fruits and vegetables and mushrooms so that people of Budgam district may get benefited by availability of seeds of vegetables of high quality.

          Referring to the developmental works under execution in the district, the Minister said that the construction work on various micro and macro projects is apace in the district adding that on completion of these projects it will change the socio-economic condition of the people of the district.

          He announced that a Guest House will be constructed at Haran village soon. He added that several centrally sponsored schemes like Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana and Fasal Bhima Yojana have been introduced in the State to improve the living standard of the farming community. He said our vision is to make the income of the farmers of the State double under mission 2022.

          Responding to the demands put forth by the locals on the occasion, the Minister said that the Government headed by the Chief Minister Ms Mehbooba Mufti is committed to provide basic amenities like power, drinking water, road connectivity and health facilities to the people of the State.

          The DDC Budgam in his speech highlighted various achievements made under various sectors in the district. VC SKAUST Kashmir and Director Agriculture also spoke on the occasion and threw light on the importance of KVKs and agriculture activities carried out by the Department of Agriculture and SKAUST in the Valley.