*Lays e-foundation for high-density mega plant-nursery
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 15: Continuing the Government’s endeavours to realize Prime Minister’s goal of doubling the income of farmers by 2022, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha launched the Horticulture Week by planting saplings at Akhnoor today.
The Horticulture Week in the UT shall focus on the broad contours of initiating massive Plantation drives, taking objective steps in Nursery Development, promoting Mechanization among the farming community, Creation of Water Sources, Human Resource Development through training and strengthening the Post Harvest Management with the overall mission of doubling the farmers’ income in the Union Territory.
The Lt Governor observed that the government has set an unprecedented target of planting 25 lakh high-density plants this year as compared to 49,000 in the year 2019, which is a new record in the history of horticulture of Jammu division.
In addition, another 1.20 crore plants of Aloe Vera and 42 lakh plants of strawberry shall also be planted, besides 67,500 plants of Olive will be planted in Ramban and Doda districts covering around 270 Ha, this year.
He also laid the e-foundation stone for a 100-acre Mega High Density Plantation Nursery coming up at Chakroi, RS Pura, besides launching the ‘Jammu Horticulture Mobile App’ and ‘Parvaz’, a market linkage scheme for the benefit of farmers.
Speaking on the occasion, the Lt Governor outlined various initiatives taken by the Government to facilitate the farming community and extending handholding to the farmers through different government schemes with a prime objective of increasing their income so that they can lead a prosperous life.
Horticulture has now become the backbone of the economy of Jammu and Kashmir. From the state-of-the-art machinery to new plants, water supply resources for farming, training, expansion of the area of high-density plantation, many innovative measures have been taken in the past one year and many more are in the pipeline for the future deliverables aiming at growth of the farming sector, added the Lt Governor.
Laying special emphasis on promoting best practices in the horticulture sector, the Lt Governor observed that significant improvement has been registered in farm productivity and production quality in the last eleven months due to exchange of knowledge and ideas in the said sector.
The Lt Governor expressed satisfaction over the strides made in Agriculture and Horticulture to fulfill Prime Ministers goal of doubling the income of farmers by 2022. In many areas of Jammu division, the farmers have already accomplished this goal ahead of time with their hard work, he added.
Speaking on J&K being amongst one of the top 5 performers in the country in the ‘One District One Product’ campaign, the Lt Governor credited the farmers of the UT and officials of the concerned departments for this achievement.
Stressing on the need to acquaint farmers with all the relevant information and latest farming techniques, the Lt Governor observed that the Central Government through its 64 schemes in the field of horticulture is providing subsidies up to 50 to 100% to the farmers in different components. Department’s officials have been constantly reaching out to the farmers and making them aware of the benefits of these schemes, he added.
Underlining the importance of putting more focus on branding and marketing, the Lt Governor called for making modern farming practices an integral part of the farming sector to bring stability in the horticulture sector and work according to the latest market trends.
Speaking on the suggestions received by the farmers during ‘Awaam ki Awaaz’ radio program, the Lt Governor stated that the Government is taking policy decisions keeping in mind the needs of the farming sector.
India is the second-largest producer of horticulture crops in the world and we produce about 12 percent of the total fruits and vegetables of the world. We are a leader in production but we need to increase our share in trade. I had requested the Hon’ble Prime Minister that the Central Government can consider specific product-based funding programs. I am sure that under his able guidance, we will definitely be able to change the agro-horticulture scenario of Jammu and Kashmir, said the Lt Governor.
The Lt Governor gave examples of farmer Vijay Kumar Verma from Udhampur, besides progressive farmers from Chatrairi Panchayat of Majalta block in Udhampur district and Nari Shakti Women Self Help Group from Kathua who have increased their income manifold through innovative ways.
700 power tillers, 180 tractors, 34 Farm Machinery Banks, 100 Tractor Driven Equipments will be provided as a part of mechanization support to the farmers this year.
Further, 9000 farmers will be trained in budding, grafting, layering etc. 1500 women will be trained regarding value addition and fruit preservation as a step to create skillful human resource.
Navin Kumar Choudhary, Principal Secretary to the Government, Department of Agriculture Production & Farmers’ Welfare and Horticulture Department highlighted the initiatives taken by the Department of Agriculture Production during the last one year. He elaborated on how the farmers from Jammu division have started exporting various fruits like litchi, pear etc for the first time, after going for diversification.
Bharat Bhushan, Chairman DDC Jammu; Jugal Kishore Sharma, Member Parliament; Dr. Raghav Langer, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Ram Savak, Director, Horticulture Department Jammu; heads of the departments, senior officers, Agriculture Scientists, and farmers in large numbers were present on the occasion.
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