KATHUA, DEC 31: Farmers in Jammu and Kashmir’s Hiranagar border areas are cultivating fields, falling beyond the International Border (IB) fence, after about two decades, thanks to the sustained ceasefire.
Pertinently, over 5000 acres of fertile land of farmers along the International Border spread across 22 border villages from Paharpur to Londi in Hiranagar sector in Kathua district remained fallow for two decades due to frequent firing/shelling hampering farmers financially.
As a Confidence Building Measure to restore the stalled farming activity, J&K administration recently made a restoration plan under which Agriculture Department with the help of BSF authorities roped in Bullet Proof Tractors and other logistics and undertook the herculean task of clearing weeds in area majorly wild reeds (Sarkanda) growth. After days of hard work to clear weeds, rounds of tilling in almost barren land, around 90 acres of land was successfully cultivated by sowing wheat crop, an official said.
This attempt yielded a produce of 185 quintals of Wheat as a reward of their efforts to make a congenial atmosphere for farming activity.
Soon after the ceasefire was announced by both the sides in February this year, the administration started mulling over the idea of putting the left out fallow land to productive use by encouraging farmers to cultivate their land themselves this time. J&K administration made concerted efforts to bring farmers on board and held several round of meetings with stakeholders and all their issues were discussed, deliberated and addressed systematically as the farmers of the neighboring country are cultivating up to zero line on their side, an official said.
Although the proposals regarding cultivation of Lemon Grass, Aloe Vera etc were put forth by the administration as they require minimum efforts on part of the farmers but farming community was of the view that contemporary rabi and kharif crops shall be best suited as far as its management, marketing and selling is concerned.
“The farmers in large numbers started cultivation of wheat crop after the district administration, Kathua and BSF extended them full support of free seed and fertilizers, removed the bushes and leveled the land. The BSF authorities gave them full security cover to start cultivation”, the official added.
The Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, Rahul Yadav said that under the direction of Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha, the administration provided all logistic support to farmers to encourage them to cultivate their fields on Forward Line. All additional support of seed, fertilizer and tractors has been given to farmers, he added.
He said “We have a target to cultivate nearly 247 acres (100 hectares) of land this season and the rest of the area would be covered later on.
