Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura, today called on Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh here to discuss the measures underway for revamping Agriculture Sector of Jammu and Kashmir.
During the meeting, both the Ministers discussed programme roadmap for doubling the farmers’ income in the State threadbare. The programme envisages Integrated Farming System for sustainable Agricultural production.
The Union Agriculture Minister appreciated the proposals of the State Agriculture Department for doubling the farmers’ income.
He also assured the State Agriculture Minister that the financial help will be provided to the State to successfully implement various schemes and projects to achieve the set target of doubling the farmers’ income by the year 2022.
During the meeting, the State Agriculture Minister put forward the proposal for the establishment of two Farm Technology centers each in Jammu and Kashmir Divisions.
The establishment of Fodder Development zones across the State was also discussed during the meeting which would help to meet growing forage demand in the State. Further, setting up of Virus Free Potato Seed Production Centres and Farm Produce related Skill Development centers also came up during the discussions.
Discussions were also held on setting up of Centre for Excellence for organic vegetables in Jammu and Kashmir which will act as demonstration centres for growers so as to acquaint them with latest and scientific approaches.
It was given out that the proposals put forward by the State will entail financial requirement of Rs 2317 crore over a three-year period starting 2017-18. Through these proposals, the State Government wants to transform the agriculture sector into a professional enterprise and link farmer directly to the national and international market.
On the occasion, the Union Minister accepted the invitation of the State Agriculture Minister to visit the state on 3rd and 4th of July 2017.