Jammu, Jan 27: Various farmers’ organisations from Jammu province on Tuesday expressed concern over what they described as the exclusion of genuine farming stakeholders from the ongoing budget preparation process in Jammu and Kashmir. The issue was raised at a joint meeting chaired by Tajinder Singh Wazir, Member of the J&K Kissan Advisory Board.
Participants in the meeting observed that meaningful consultation with farmers could have contributed significantly to holistic agricultural development. Instead, they said, the exercise appeared confined to media optics, resulting in the loss of crucial grassroots-level feedback from cultivators and allied sector workers.
Addressing the gathering, Tajinder Singh Wazir said that while agriculture and allied sectors are witnessing a “golden era” in terms of schemes and fund allocations, the absence of proper planning, accountability and timely implementation has prevented farmers from deriving the intended benefits. He noted that although some regions have shown signs of revival, many areas continue to struggle due to weak execution mechanisms.
Wazir strongly pitched for the creation of a special revolving fund of ₹300 crore to ensure uninterrupted implementation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes and State Sector schemes, citing the time-sensitive nature of agricultural operations. He also pointed out that farmers in several other states receive matching grants for sustainability, which helps strengthen their economic base, whereas in Jammu and Kashmir a limited state contribution often leads to reduced central assistance. Delays in submitting utilisation certificates and an over-emphasis on public sector–driven projects were identified as major bottlenecks.
The meeting also expressed concern over the continued neglect of commercial floriculture in the Union Territory. Farmers said that despite vast potential, the sector has remained underdeveloped for nearly two decades, forcing Jammu and Kashmir to import tulips and other planting material worth crores of rupees, even for official functions such as budget session decorations. They urged the government to allocate a substantial budgetary share for reviving commercial floriculture through interest subvention, promotion of “Vocal for Local” initiatives, restructuring of scheme components, revival of sick units and comprehensive insurance coverage for flower growers.
Further, the farmers demanded that the government order a performance audit by an independent and credible third-party agency to assess assets created in the public sector, evaluate outcomes, safeguard public funds and fix responsibility for lapses.
Among other issues raised were the need for permanent mandies for grain procurement in Jammu province, establishment of Agriculture Skill Development Centres in every district, creation of centres of excellence for dairy, mushrooms, honey and potatoes, focused measures to mitigate the impact of climate change on agriculture, effective utilisation of CSR funds in agriculture and allied sectors, proper implementation of schemes such as PMKSY, RKVY and PMDP, tax-free agricultural inputs and machinery, and the inclusion of insurance and pension provisions for farmers in the forthcoming budget. The farmers also called for the implementation of all pending announcements made in previous budgets.
