J C Raina
After the Green revolution India has become food surplus country with agricultural exports as a major contributor to Indian Economy. Our state is also making progress in agriculture in the direction of achieving the food sufficiency and the irrigated belt of Jammu division taking lead in production of marketable surplus foodgrains. In Jammu division, the total agricultural land holdings recorded are 608456 numbers with an area of 553,410 ha. With net sown area of 392,910 ha the average landholding size becomes 0.65 ha. The Jammu, Kathua and Samba are the main contributors of rice and wheat production. Whereas, Rajouri, Poonch, Udhampur and Doda are the producers of maize crop with the reported surplus being procured by the local hatcheries of Jammu from Rajour-Poonch belt. The Jammu region is also famous for certain specialities and local cultivars like Bhadarwah/Marwah Rajmash, Rongi, RS Pura Basmati, Kishtwar Kesar, Kala Zeera, Desi Mash, Desi Kheera, Garlic, Knol Khol and a variety of other traditional productions. There is a huge potential for increase in production and marketing of these special items in view of large number of tourists influx from outside the state to Mata Vaishno Devi, Shivkhori, Amar Nath Yatra and Jhiri Mela.
The Department of Agriculture , J & K Government, Jammu has taken several bold initiatives in agriculture sector since the year 2009-10 for the well being of farmers and improvement of the economy of the state. These initiatives are expected to have a far reaching impact on sustainable agriculture production and productivity which is already visible and in some cases in a significant manner.
Popularisation of Machinery & ABCs: The old system of Government led purchase of improved farm machinery for the beneficiaries has been done away with. The farmers are now free to purchase the latest and standard farm machinery and equipments according to their own choice, brand and specifications and can avail subsidies within the budgetary provisions. This has led to an upsurge in demand and off-take of quality machinery. The manually and animal operated equipments and machines are now being replaced by power driven machines.
Kissan Credit Cards: The Department has launched a massive campaign for motivation and mobilization of farmers to apply for Kissan Credit Cards to meet their requirement of credit for various investments in agriculture sector to make it viable and sustainable.
Revival of traditional Basmati rice of Jammu:
Boost to exports by amendment in norms of exportable basmati rice: The aromatic basmati rice growers of the state got a fillip during the year 2010-11 with regard to its export outside the country when the Ministry of Commerce, Govt. of India, revised the norms regarding permissible length of uncooked Basmati rice to 6.61 mm. against the 7 mm. that was specified earlier. (The locally grown Basmati-370 and Ranbir Basmati of Jammu possess a length of 6.61 mm. besides all other parameters and attributes of Basmati rice as described by the Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India, APEDA and other concerned international organizations.) The decision by the Ministry of Commerce to allow the export of these varieties from the state to abroad has given a long way in increasing the area, production, productivity and quality of Basmati rice and given a boost to the income of growers.
Promotion of mushroom cultivation: Mushroom cultivation has been promoted as a significant agro based cottage enterprise in Jammu region. After popularity of white button mushrooms, Dhingri/ paddy straw and milky mushrooms are also gaining popularity. The mushroom production has reached 6100 qtls during year 2012-13. The 101 new mushroom units have been established with the strengthening of 279 old mushroom units during year 2012-13.
Rejuvenation of Saffron: has been taken up in a Mission Mode under National Mission on Saffron and 50 hectare area has been rejuvenated in traditional saffron growing areas of Kishtwar district till date, The Saffron Development Farm at Berwar, Kishtwar is being strengthened and 374 qtl. of quality saffron seed corms were distributed in non-traditional areas of temperate regions of Kathua, Udhampur, Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, Rajouri, Reasi districts till date for layout of adaptive demonstrations on saffron after Initial success reported in saffron cultivation trials in some non-traditional temperate areas of Jammu division. A number of other new concepts like Integrated Nutrient management, Integrated Pest Management, Increase in Maize production under ISOPOM scheme and any other programmes and schemes for the benefits of farming community are under progress. The above interventions in extension and development in agriculture sector the State Government is targeting sustainable increase in production and productivity of crops with diversification of farming systems for providing better economic returns to the farmers.
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