Frame Calendar for timely seed distribution among farmers: Mir Asks officers to promote 2014 as Maize Cultivation Year in Valley SRINAGAR, 20 AUGUST: Saying that timely distribution of seed is pivotal for bringing vibrancy in agriculture sector, Minister for Agriculture, Mr Ghulam Hassan Mir today directed the Agriculture department to frame a calendar for seed replacement across the year for timely distribution of seed among the farmers. The direction to this effect was given by the Minister at a high level meeting convened to review the progress of in agriculture sector and its allied sectors this afternoon. Conveying his dismay over the performance of Director Inputs for not achieving the target of seed replacement and availability of other agriculture inputs to the farmers at the right time, Minister stressed to immediately issue calendar of seed requirements and time of distribution and availability of other agriculture inputs so that farmers could get all the inputs at the right time. The Minister directed all Chief Agriculture Officers to achieve seed replacement targets cautioning against any compromise in achieving them as it is an important ingredient for quality and enhanced production. He said there is no fund constraint for procurement of seed from seed village farmers adding that a revolving fund of Rs 12 crore is available with the department. He called upon the officers to ensure a target of 30 percent seed replacement is achieved in the state particularly in paddy and wheat. The Minister said that Valley has huge potential for cultivation of Hybrid Maize and directed the department to take concrete steps for promoting 2014 as a maize cultivation year and provided incentives to the farmers in this regard. Being the major global tourist destination of the world, the minister said the maize crop has huge market in the valley and said that every effort would be made to promote hybrid maize cultivation here. Regarding utilisation of RKVY funds judiciously, the Minister directed all the concerned Directors to utilise the 60% funds of current year’s plan and 100% of last year’s plan by or before October 2013 and furnish utilisation certificates on time so that State could receive timely funding from the Centre for the next year under RKVY. Asking the Chief Agriculture Officers to also frame the calendar for launching awareness programme across the valley, the minister said that from September 1st, all the districts should launch awareness programme at panchayat halqa level to acquaint the farmers about the various schemes and programmes of the department. He also directed to conduct the farm machinery melas at the block level and involve the farmers to utilise latest farm technology in their agricultural fields for which government provides them subsidy. The Minister directed all the sectoral officers of the department to work hard with zeal to realise the dream of making the agriculture sector a profitable activity. He said the objective to convene this high level meeting was to address issues confronting the officers, officials and farming community. He hoped that the decisions taken during today’s five hour marathon discussion will be implemented in the field in letter and spirit. Commissioner Secretary Agriculture, Dr. Asgar samoon gave valuable inputs to making the Agriculture Production department more vibrant and informed that sector wise review would be taken periodically to ensure implementation of the decision in today’s meeting. Director Research SKUAST(K), Chief Engineer Mechanical, , Director sericulture, Director Agriculture, Kashmir, Director Horticulture, Kashmir, Director Floriculture, Director Command Area, Kashmir, Director Sheep, Director Animal Husbandry, Register Cooperative, MD Agro Industries, Professor Nehavi an expert of National Saffron Mission, Joint Directors of Agriculture Kashmir, Chief Agriculture Officers and other sectoral officers of the agriculture department were present in the meeting.
Posted on: Tue, 20 Aug 2013 15:08:50 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015