Union Minister reviews functioning of JK’s agriculture, allied sectors

GoI committed to revamp state's agriculture sector

SRINAGAR, JULY 04: The Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Radha Mohan Singh today said that central Government is committed to revamp agriculture scenario of the state by providing all possible financial supports to double the farmers’ income by 2022.

The Minister was addressing a meeting with State Agricultural and its allied sectors officials convened here today to review the overall scenario of the sectors.

Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura, Minister for Animal & Sheep Husbandry   and Fisheries Abdul Gani Kohli, Minister of State for agriculture Sunil Kumar Sharma, VC, Kisan Advisory Board Daljit Singh Chib, Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-K Dr. Nazer Ahmad, officers from Union and State agriculture departments and ICAR scientist attended the session.

 The Union Minister asked the concerned for accelerating the pace of developmental work   being executed under the sectors ensuring their timely completion.  He also called for submission of Utilization Certificate  for further release of funds from the Centre.   He called upon them to formulated schemes in coordination with line departments like Agriculture, SKUAST and ICAR for the benefit of the farmers. He asked the concerned for redressing the issues with regard to farmers’ welfare on priority.

Directing the concerned for establishing Soil Testing Labs at block levels for the convenience of farmers, Mr. Singh asked for speeding up the process of soil testing, activating all soil testing lab and collecting sample for the second round of the soil testing. He stressed for better synergy and coordination within the departments and directed the concerned for taking quarterly revive meetings to make sure hassle free implementation of farmer welfare schemes. He also stressed for increasing micro irrigation programs across the state.

 Mr. Singh called for enacting  act in coordination with the forest department  to grant relaxation for cutting and transportation of  certain wood to improve income generating capacity of farmers.

   Seeking details regarding the utilization of funds schemes-wise, the Minister was informed that an amount of Rs. 449.26 crore was allocated under various Centrally Sponsored Schemes during 2016-17 and Rs. 110.19 crore stands expended against the released amount of Rs 190.64 crore so far.

            Reviewing the status of distribution of Soil Health Cards, the Union Minister was informed that against the target of 9.14 lakh, as many as 5.28 lakh Soil Health Cards have been distributed so far and rest of the cards would be distributed soon.

          Earlier, through power point presentation, the Principal Secretary, Agriculture Production Department J&K Sandeep K Nayak informed the Union Minister about the measures being taken for the development of agriculture sector. He also informed about the initiatives being taken for the betterment of farmers and to double their income by 2022.