STATE TIMES NEWS
KATHUA: Principal Secretary, Agriculture Production & Farmers Welfare, J&K UT, Navin K Choudhary conducted an extensive tour of Kathua District to inspect the on ground activities being under taken by Agriculture and allied departments here today. Those who accompanied the Principal Secretary during the visit include Director AP & FW, Jammu, K. K. Sharma, DIG BSF Hari Lal, 67 Bn BSF CO Atul Shahi, Director Horticulture, Ram Savak, Director Animal Husbandry, Sagar D. Doifode, Director Horticulture (Planning & Marketing), Vishesh Mahajan, Director CAD, R. S. Tara, Director Sheep Husbandry, Krishan Lal, Director Fisheries, Bashir Ahmad Bhat, CAO, Kathua, CHO Kathua, CAHO, Kathua besides other senior officers of the agriculture and allied departments.
While inspecting the border wheat sowing on 150 acres of Land at Hiranagar Sector, Principal Secretary said that the farmers of this area used to keep large acreage of their land uncultivated along the forward line Indo-Pak Border in Hiranagar sector due to cross border firing. He further elucidated that this Year due to government policy a serious of collective efforts were put forth by Agriculture Department, Civil Administration, Security Forces (BSF) and farmers to achieve a breakthrough in this respect. As a result farmers came forward and wheat sowing operation was started during Rabi 2021-22 on Zero Line after a period of 19 years. Pertinently additional support of seed, fertilizers and tractors was also made available to the farmers and Cultivation of Wheat on 150 acre of border land was completed involving 35 farmers of village Chandwan, Chak Changa and Londi.
On the occasion, Principal Secretary interacted with border area farmers during which farmers expressed happiness and satisfaction over this initiative by government that enabled them to cultivate their land after long period. Navin Choudhary asserted that we are looking forward to coverage of all area lying vacant beyond fencing at zero line by next cropping season and all help including provision of agri machinery and other inputs will be made available to the farmers on priority basis. Earlier, Principal Secretary inspected the activities undertaken by Woman FPO at village Jandi where he was informed that said FPO comprises of 233 women covering 9 villages is primarily involved in mushroom cultivation and organic farming. At Horticulture nursery, Vijaypur, Principal Secretary inspected the newly introduced mother date palm nursery there. He inspected the Horticulture Planning &Marketing Mandi at Tapyal. Further he also inspected strawberry farm at Haripur and sheep farm at Rajbagh. Meanwhile, while inaugurating the agri products sale centre set up at Chief Agriculture office, Kathua, Principal Secretary said that 279 nutritional SHGs (one in each panchayat) will be linked with this sale centre providing them a platform for direct sale of their products. Navin stressed that need of the hour is to broaden the base of such centers for bringing the right product at the right price for the consumers. He also recommended setting up more such types of sale outlets so that the farmers get better returns and consumers can enjoy fresh and quality vegetables at their doorsteps.