Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Mar 26: In view of crop loss due to incessant rains and floods in the State, the Government is extending waiver of 50 percent KCC loan to small and vulnerable marginal farmers and an amount of Rs 150 crore has been proposed in the budget estimates of 2015-16 for this purpose.
This was informed by the Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura while replying to the Demands for Grants of Agriculture Department in the Legislative Assembly, here today.
He said crop loss in respect of Agriculture sector, assessed by the Revenue Department, due to incessant rains and floods in the State was of the order of Rs 4043.65 crore and the Government has recommended payment of ex-gratia relief to the extent of 50 percent which works out to Rs 2022 crore. “The proposal has been submitted to the Government of India,” he added.
The minister further said that in respect of infrastructure loss (Building part), estimated renovation cost has worked out to Rs 61.27 crore, which has been referred to the Planning and Development Department in the shape of detailed project reports.
The Minister said that under NABARD loan funding, 13 project reports at an amount of Rs. 58.39 crores were prepared and so far 09 projects have been accorded administrative approval. Such Development under NABARD assistance has taken place for the first time in the Agriculture Department, he added.
He said that one project of multi commodity cold storage is in the pipe line which has been proposed outside the State at Delhi adding that this storage facility is expected to help the farmers to capture the market facilities in the Capital city.
He said a Working Group of experts will be brought together who will guide the Government as how to give boost to the Agriculture and Horticulture Productivity for sustainable development. He said some prominent and reputed stake holders will also be taken on Board so that impact of schemes under implementation is visible on ground.
Mr Hanjura said sale and stocking of sub standard seeds, fertilizers and pesticides would not be allowed in the State. “Government will take stringent measures including cancellation of licenses against those found indulged in this trade,” he said and added that the Law enforcing wing of Agriculture Department has been directed to book the culprits.
The Minister informed that under centrally sponsored schemes, the Department received an amount of Rs 196.33 crores. He announced that the 500 MTs Cold Storage Plant at Lal Mandi, Srinagar, which was damaged due to floods, is being revived during the year 2015-16.
Earlier, the Minister moved a Demand for Grants of a sum of Rs 142768.20 lakhs to defray the charges which will come in the course of payment during the year ending March 31, 2016 for the departments under his charge.
The House passed the Grants by a voice vote.
Meanwhile, vouching for a proactive role by private sector in the Animal Husbandry sector, the Minister for Animal Husbandry and Science & Technology, Sajjad Gani Lone today put forward the new scheme of liberalized regime in this most un-organized segment.
“Despite favourable climatic conditions, we are importing dairy products approximately worth Rs 2000 crores and we are targeting to stop this import by raising domestic production, which will be a tribute to this sector,” he said while replying to the Demands for Grants under his charge in the Legislative Assembly here today.
The minister further said that this huge money would not leave from the State’s economy while 30 to 40 thousand people will get employment opportunities if we are able to raise domestic production for which Jammu and Kashmir has ideal climatic conditions, availability of pastures to develop sheep farming, poultry and production of milk and has a vast network of lakes, water bodies and cold water streams for production of fish including world renowned trout.
Maintaining that Animal Husbandry is one of the most vibrant sectors of economy catering to the ‘necessity sector’ of consumption, the minister lamented that natural evolution that was supposed to take place has not taken place and the infrastructure that was installed during previous decades catered well to those times but now it seems outdated.
Explaining that the State lacks private sector and right now major contribution comes through unorganized sector and Government infrastructure, the minister said that we have to expose the hidden profitability of this sector to the entrepreneurs and show them its economic viability so that they invest in this sector.
“We will take steps towards ensuring that Government’s role becomes that of a facilitator and it also does not stand as an inert bystander. We will try to attract investment and work will be done by empowering villages at the micro level besides empowering and facilitating the private sector through steps like single window clearance,” he said.
“Our mission will be to do some sort of reorganization and restructuring in the department” Sajad further said and added that we need to integrate the whole set up right down to the mutton shop and the milk man.
Earlier, the Minister moved a Demand for Grant of a sum of Rs.51226.66 lakh to defray the charges which will come in the course of payment during the year ending March 31, 2015 for the department under his charge.
17 Members took part in discussion on demand of grants and those , who moved the Cut Motions on the Grants, withdrew the same after the satisfactory reply from the Minister.
The House passed the Grants by a voice.
The Minister for Horticulture, Abdul Rehman Veeri, while replying to the Demands for Grants of Horticulture Department in the Legislative Assembly, said that Government would initiate new and innovative measures to give further boost to this sector.
Minister said “we want to see a robust post-harvesting infrastructural mechanism in place in our State for which there is great need to increase the cold storage capacity for fresh fruits”.
The post-harvest management is being strengthened by way of providing controlled atmosphere stores, packaging and grading centers and better marketing facilities. For the purpose a provision of Rs 4 crore has been earmarked during the next fiscal, he said.
Revealing the new innovations to give boost to the production and improving the quality of horticulture produce, the Minister said that two Centers of Excellence one each at Jammu and Srinagar will be set up at an estimated cost of Rs 10 crore on each Center. These Centers would provide technology knowhow to the farmers for improving the quality of fruits and boosting the production, said the Minister.
The Minister said to overcome the marketing challenges for horticulture and vegetables produce the development of 36 fruit and vegetable markets is under way in a phased manner. At present three Terminal and Satellite markets are operating at Sopore, Parimpora and Kashmir and Narwal Jammu, besides 10 Satellite markets, 9 Apni mandies and Kissan Ghars at Jammu, Delhi and Kolkata are also functional, said Mr. Veeri.
To further expand the marketing activities, the fruit and vegetable markets would also be upgraded with modern facilities so that people associated with this trade are benefitted in more systematic and professional way, the Minister maintained.
The other reformative measures, which are in the pipeline included, introduction of Crop Insurance to safeguard the interests of farmers. Three fruit crops namely, apple, cherry and mango have already been brought under the ambit of Crop Insurance cover on pilot basis, rejuvenation of 50 years old and senile orchards to boost the production by importing genetically robust plant material from developed Countries. These initiatives are aimed to help the farmers in a big way, the Minister said.
To provide immediate relief to the farming community, the Minister said that Government has announced waiver of 50% KCC loans in case of small and vulnerable farmers in view of the crop loss suffered by them due to floods., the Minister said.
He said JKAGRO and JAKFED shall keep adequate stock of fertilizers during the lean period so that there is no shortage of fertilizers during the peak season adding that many more companies dealing with fertilizers may be roped in for the supply of fertilizers in the State. The companies supplying the fertilizers shall be asked to establish their godowns at the district level also, said the Minister.
The Minister said special steps would be taken to further boost and provides better marketing facilities to walnut and Almonds.
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