Srinagar, 12 Feb: Department of Agriculture Kashmir today organised a one day interactive program with the farmers of Srinagar, Budgam, Ganderbal and Baramula districts at Lalmandi.
During the inaugural address Director Agriculture Kashmir Chowdhary Iqbal highlighting various farmer friendly schemes which have been devised to transform the rural economy and requested the participating farmers to avail these schemes for sustenance and economic prosperity.
In order to have better market linkage available to the farmers Chowdhary said impetus is being given to increase farmers’ income. In this context formation of Farmer Interest Groups (FIGs) and of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) is the only everlasting solution which are designed for economic prosperity of the farmers by way of transforming agriculture into a remunerative venture and farmers into agri-entrepreneurs.
He reiterated that the present policies of government including formation of FPOs are best suited to UT of J&K as the region is endowed with various agriculture products with export potential and has great demand and relevance in national and international markets.
Directed assured the participants that the department is always at the back of the farming community and urged upon the officers to increase touring to the farmers field with latest recommendations and suggestions from agriculture universities and other institutions.
Director said that the Department has recently taken some initiatives which include Farmer Darbars, establishment of Model Farm Schools at district headquarters, holding of awareness camps and kisan melas, exposure visits within and outside UT, introduction of farm mechanization for updating the common farmer and saving time and labour component in order to double the farmers income.
During the course of the interaction, participating farmers raised issues regarding the marketing of their vegetable produce. Director after listening patiently to the demands informed the participants that in order to provide a succor to vegetable growers for marketing of their produce, recently an initiative has been taken by the Directorate of Agriculture Kashmir and J&K Horticulture Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation (JKHPMC) Ltd to provide better marketing linkage to the vegetable growers.
Joint Director Agriculture Extension Mohammad Muzaffer Hurra, also spoke during the program regarding the achievements made by the Department at various levels.
Chief Agriculture Officer, Srinagar Mohammad Younis Chowdhary, Mushroom Development Officer, Srinagar Syed Mudasir Shafi and other senior officers also attended the interactive program.