Inaugurated borewell at organic village Patalbagh

PAMPORE: The Agriculture Production and Farmer’s Welfare Department on Tuesday observed Saffron day at Dusso area of Saffron town Pampore in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
On the occasion Deputy Commissioner Pulwama, Raghav Langer, kick started the festival of Saffron flower picking in Saffron fields at Dusso near IIKSTC Pampore.
The theme of the Saffron day was our symbol our pride.
Later Deputy Commissioner Pulwama Raghav Langer held a meeting with Saffron growers association, growers and officials of Agriculture department and Mechanical Engineering department (MeD) at India International Kashmir Saffron Trade Centre ( IIKSTC ) Dusoo Pampore and discussed various issues related to the National Saffron Mission like sprinkle irrigation system and functioning of borewells. He assured the speedy settlement of the pending ones.
“Today we are here with our farmers picking saffron flowers. This is a ceremony because it will mark the beginning of season’s saffron picking, “The Deputy Commissioner told Kashmir Reader, adding later on they will be holding a meeting with officials of various concerned departments.
He told Kashmir Reader they will review how many sprinkler irrigation systems are working and how many need to be operationalized.
He hoped farmers will reach a bumper crop this year and the saffron production will show an increase.
“We informed the Deputy Commissioner Pulwama that irrigation is still incomplete, still many bore wells have not been made functional, ” Abdul Majeed Wani, President All Saffron Growers Association told Kashmir Reader, adding they need to start a sprinkling irrigation system in August.
The Deputy Commissioner assured farmers that all sprinklers will be made operationalized on time.
Chief Agriculture Officer Pulwama Mohammad Qasim Gani, Executive Engineer MeD Abdul Rashid, AEE MeD Mohammad Maqbool , Saffron growers association president Abdul Majeed Wani, Agriculture, Spice park and other senior Officers of the district were also present on the occasion.
Deputy Commissioner Pulwama also visited Patalbagh where he inaugurated newly constructed borewell in Organic Farming Cluster Patalbagh village of Pampore.
The bore well has been funded under District Capex with an aim to boost organic farming in the district besides it has a potential to irrigate around scores of hectares of land under organic cultivation.
On the occasion, Deputy Commissioner Pulwama said that organic farming will usher a movement towards sustainable development besides doubling the farmers income. He said that organic farming leads to a healthy lifestyle and better food habits amongst the people.
He stressed upon the officers of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare to implement the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojna (PMKVY) and provide logistic and technical support to farmers. He stressed for widening the farming base as more crops should be brought into its ambit.
The Deputy Commissioner directed the Chief Agriculture Officer Pulwama to make an action plan for marketing of organic produce besides mobilising the forward and backward linkages.

BILAL HABIB