Agriculture Secty reviews progress of Agriculture, SKUAST-K, CAD and Sericulture programmes

Ziraat Times News Desk

SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 10: Secretary, Agriculture Production Department (APD), Nita Gupta, today reviewed the implementation of various agriculture and allied-sector programmes being undertaken in Kashmir division under the UT Capex Budget 2026-27, NABARD, Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), Jammu and Kashmir Comprehensive Investment Plan (JKCIP), Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) and SASCI.

The review meeting was held at the Directorate of Agriculture, Lalmandi, Srinagar, and focused on the physical and financial progress of ongoing interventions, expenditure, targets and implementation status.

The meeting was attended by Director Agriculture Kashmir Sartaj Ahmad Shah, Director Command Area Development Kashmir, Director Planning, Agriculture Production Department, Director Finance, SKUAST-K, Chief Agriculture Officers and other senior officers.

Gupta stressed timely execution, effective monitoring and optimum utilisation of funds to ensure that the intended benefits of various programmes reach the farming community.

She called for a result-oriented and farmer-centric approach, with greater emphasis on field-level monitoring and close coordination among departments and other stakeholders for expeditious implementation of developmental programmes.

Earlier, the Secretary also reviewed the functioning and performance of SKUAST-Kashmir, the Command Area Development Department and the Sericulture Department, taking stock of their respective programmes, achievements and implementation challenges.

During these reviews, emphasis was laid on strengthening coordination between the Agriculture Production Department and allied institutions, promoting technology-driven interventions, improving service delivery and ensuring effective implementation of farmer-oriented programmes.

Director Agriculture Kashmir apprised the Secretary of the overall performance of the department and briefed her on progress under various schemes and initiatives, besides outlining measures being taken to accelerate implementation at the field level.

The Secretary directed the concerned officers to maintain regular monitoring, ensure timely achievement of targets and strengthen inter-departmental convergence, with a focus on improving agricultural productivity, supporting farmers and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities across Kashmir.