Excelsior Correspondent
VIJAYPUR (SAMBA), Dec 23: Underlining the significance of agriculture sector in the State, Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Hassan Mir has called for strengthening the relations between Government and the farming community to further promote this sector.
Mr. Mir was addressing a large gathering of farmers at a function organized by the J&K Agriculture Entrepreneurship Development Association (JKAEDA) to mark the Kissan Divas at village Soankha in Vijaypur.
Minister for PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control, Sham Lal Sharma, MLA Bishnah, Ashwani Sharma and former Minister Manjit Singh were also present on the occasion.
Listing the measures initiated by the Government for the welfare of the farming community, the Agriculture Minister said that for the first time the Government has created Kissan Advisory Board, a platform to raise their voice and the Board has been working as a bridge between farmers and the Government. The Government has also ensured participation of farmers in the pre-budget discussions and their view points are well taken while framing the budget and policies to uplift the agriculture sector in the State, said Mr. Mir.
He said that Government has taken several revolutionary steps to improve the condition of the farmers during the past over five years which included, setting up of adequate number of fertilizer/seed outlets, procurement centres which helped the farmers to extend these facilities at their doorsteps. He said Government also ensured distribution of Kissan Credit Cards (KCCs) to the farmers for timely financial assistance from the banks to accelerate their activities.
Sham Lal Sharma in his address said that Government accords top priority to this vital sector as agriculture is the mainstay of State’s economy and responsible for improving the GDP rate. During the past over one decade several initiatives have been taken to promote this sector and to extend facilities to the farmers at their doorsteps. He asked the farmers to raise their problems and demands through Kissan Advisory Board so that the Government can address these on priority.
Ashwani Sharma and Manjit Singh also addressed the gathering and highlighted the issues of farmers. They advocated more steps for the welfare of farmers and providing free electricity to them for agricultural activities. They called for regular interaction between farmers and Government to address burning issues on priority.
Meanwhile, Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Hassan Mir along with Minister of State for Agriculture, Nazir Ahmed Gurezi launched Kissan SMS portal mobile service for farmers of Jammu region. The service has been started in three languages of English, Hindi and Urdu.
The SMS Portal created by the Directorate of Agriculture, Jammu will provide necessary time specific and region specific information to the farmers. Considering availability of large number of mobile connections in the rural areas, Kissan SMS portal is likely to be very useful to farmers and other stakeholders as timely and relevant information will be provided to them.
Among others Director Agriculture Jammu, Ajay Khajuria, Joint Director Agriculture (inputs) Sushil Sahani, Deputy Director Trainings, Sudesh Koul, Deputy Director Central, C. M. Sharma besides senior officers of the department were present on the occasion.
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