Transfer technology to fields for optimum results: Sham

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 8: Minister for Health, Horticulture and Floriculture, Sham Lal Sharma today said that horticulture and other allied sectors are mainstay of State’s economy and there was a need to switch over to modern techniques to ensure better turnouts.
This was stated by the Minister at a public and sectoral officers meeting at Akhnoor.
Mr. Sham said that Jammu and Kashmir has a rural economy and its growth was primarily dependent on the development of rural areas. He stressed upon the agriculturists to adopt new techniques and go for diversification of crops and set better dividends. He also stressed on effective planning and evolving innovative techniques suiting to the topography and environment of the State, especially in horticulture sector. He asked the farmers to work on multi-dimensional lines and not stick to the traditional crops and vegetables.
The Minister said that Jammu division has a vast potential, especially in cultivation of mushroom, tomatoes, potato and other vegetables and asked for identification of new areas for the same. He said that more efforts were required to strengthen the agriculture and horticulture sectors and enhance profitability of agro-based ventures so that educated youth are motivated to pick up their careers in horticulture, floriculture and allied sectors, adding that for this purpose Government was providing necessary facilities to the youth who would opt for agriculture profession.
Referring to the election to the Panchayats, he said “Coalition Government has achieved great feat by holding elections to these grass-root level institutions. It is after decades that this revolutionary measure has been initiated whereby the people at grass root level have been involved in policy formulation and implementation”, Minister maintained.
Mr. Sham directed the officers to involve Panchs and Sarpanchs in the implementation of various schemes and work in close coordination with them so that proper and area specific development was ensured.
Describing Akhnoor constituency as a water scarcity zone, the Minister said the Government has put special focus on Kandi areas in providing drinking water to people. Mr. Sham directed the concerned engineers to undertake cleaning and augmentation of existing dug wells and also press-in water tankers to ensure adequate potable water supply to the people.
Later, at a function, the Minister distributed 100 cheques among beneficiaries of remote and far-flung areas of Akhnoor under various Central and State sponsored schemes, organised by Social Welfare Department.