Centre mulling big agriculture sector interventions in Kashmir: Union Minister

By: Sajid Raina

Srinagar: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Thursday said a developed Jammu & Kashmir is key to a developed India, announcing an agriculture overhaul with initiatives ranging from a Srinagar Clean Plant Centre and revised saffron mission to horticulture crop insurance and youth skilling programmes.

Addressing a press conference in Srinagar after holding a review meeting with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at the Secretariat, Chouhan said several decisions had been taken in the interest of farmers and rural residents.

He said agriculture continues to be the backbone of both the Indian and Jammu & Kashmir economies, with nearly half the population dependent on it for livelihood.

He said the government would set up a 150-crore Clean Plant Center in Srinagar under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture. The centre will focus on producing disease-free planting material for apples, almonds, walnuts, and berries.

He added that private nurseries would also be supported to ensure farmers have access to quality, pathogen-free plants.

Chouhan said farmers in Jammu & Kashmir who received land allotments but lack official documents will be considered for inclusion under the PM-KISAN scheme. He also said the government plans to launch the Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme to ensure horticulture crops are mapped and covered under the PM Fasal Bima Yojana.

On the demand for a Regional Horticulture Center in Jammu, Chouhan said the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) would support Jammu Agricultural University with necessary infrastructure. An MoU between ICAR and the university will also be signed.

The Minister said the storage period in Controlled Atmosphere (CA) facilities will be extended from 18 to 24 months. He said subsidy will be provided for facilities with storage capacity up to 5,000 metric tons, even if the facility is larger.

Chouhan said the government will revise the National Saffron Mission to better suit local conditions and will set up a tissue culture lab and nursery to support saffron production. A team of scientists will also be formed to study ways to increase yield and reduce losses.

He said quality control labs will be established in Kathua, Baramulla, and Anantnag to improve soil health and monitor fertilizer use. Under the RKVY scheme, efforts will be made to close irrigation gaps between canal and field.

Chouhan said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier announced Rs 4,200 crore under Phase IV of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana for road connectivity in the region. He said construction in the remaining areas will begin soon.

He said 93% of houses under the PM Awas Yojana have been completed, and remaining beneficiaries will be allotted homes after verification. He said the National Rural Livelihood Mission is helping women in rural areas become economically independent, with some earning 10 lakh annually.

Chouhan said the government has set employment targets under MGNREGA and will launch training programs for youth. He said the government will ensure that no eligible farmer is left out of the Kisan Credit Card scheme—. (KNO)