Dr Jitendra to lay foundation of J&K’s first ever Seed Processing Plant in Kathua today

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 12: What can be called a great milestone in Agriculture Sector of the State, in doubling the farmers income by 2022, the J&K will have its first ever Seed Processing Plant in Kathua district of Jammu region.
The foundation stone of the Seed Plant will be laid by Union Minister of State in PMO with Independent Charge of North Eastern States, Dr Jitendra Singh at village Tarf Manjali in Kathua district tomorrow in presence of senior representatives of National Seed Corporation and officers of Agriculture Department of the State.
The Plant will be established by National Seed Corporation on two acres of the land which has been already acquired by the Agriculture Department from Irrigation Department of the State which in turn had signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National Seed Corporation and given it the land on lease for 40 years.
As per the MoU signed between the Agriculture Departm-ent and National Seed Corporation the high variety and quality seed processed in the plant will also be purchased by the Agriculture Department of the State.
The Department will later provide the seed to prospective farmers of the State for sowing in their farms.
According to sources the Union Minister of State, Dr Jitendra Singh has taken personnel interest in establishment of the Plant in Jammu region by taking up the issue with Union Agriculture Ministry and National Seed Corporation authorities. Talking to Excelsior Dr, Jitendra Singh said that this will prove a milestone in doubling the farmers income by 2022 as has been envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that the farmers will be provided high quality seed of different varieties suitable for cultivation in accordance with the climate of the different regions of the State and after growing the same in their farms the Corporation will purchase the same and after proper processing and certification the seed will be sold to Agriculture Department which in turn will supply it to farmers of the State for sowing the same in their fields to increase their production.
Besides boosting the production of farmers in the State over 1000 people will get employment through the Seed Processing Plant directly or indirectly.
In the first phase Rs 2.50 crore will be spent on the construction of Godown – The Plant will have a storage capacity of 20000 to 30,000 quintals of seed and 10000 quintals for conversion in the first stage. It will be constructed within six months after the construction started on it. Over 15000 to 20,000 farmers will also be benefitted by the seed plant.
He said that the farmers producing the seed will be provided 15 percent more rate by the NSC to double their income.
He said it is another big project in the Jammu region after the Rs 150 crore Biotech Park at Ghati Kathua which will grow ornamental and medicinal plants and is directly linked to farming community of the State. The farmers will be provided the ornamental and medicinal plants to grow in their land which in turn will also generate good income for them.

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