Srinagar- Asserting that his government is working relentlessly for the welfare of the farmers, the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha said on Tuesday that a large population which was deprived of progress and prosperity for decades is now getting equal opportunities and equal rights in the Union Territory.
“In the last two years, we have come out with a viable strategy to achieve the historic task of ensuring higher incomes to our farmers. We have overcome several hurdles to sustain a higher rate of agriculture & allied sectors growth and made it more equitable and inclusive,” Sinha said on Tuesday.
He made these remarks while addressing the valedictory session of multi-stakeholder convention on holistic development of agriculture & allied sectors in J&K, at SKICC here on Tuesday, an official spokesperson said.
Sinha, he said, praised the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that his administration is working relentlessly for the welfare of the farmers, especially extending handholding to Small and Marginal Farmers.
“A large population which was deprived of progress and prosperity for decades is now getting equal opportunities and equal rights,” the LG said.
Appreciating the organisers for the historic convention, the LG, as per spokesperson said that such efforts will deepen our understanding on critical gaps and steps required for transforming and rejuvenating the main pillar of our economy.
“Deliberations among eminent agricultural scientists, policy planners, policy makers, academia and farmers will lead to the formulation of a futuristic roadmap for rapid growth in agriculture and allied sector,” the LG said.
As per the spokesperson, the LG noted that the UT’s Agriculture & allied sector was performing much below its potential in recent years. Sinha said that J&K administration took several measures to reverse the declining trend by filling credit gaps, diversification, high-density plantation, building storage capacity, market linkages and extension services.
“Agriculture growth last year was recorded at 3.9% and food processing at 11.18%. However, we have a huge number of small and marginal farmers who need financial support and benefits of the central & UT schemes, and handholding to meet the challenges,” the LG said.
According to the spokesperson, the LG noted that the allied activities contribute more than 15% in total farm income and said that the Dairy, Livestock, Poultry & Fisheries can become engines of high growth, and emphasized the need to make massive efforts for creating awareness amongst the farmers to tap its tremendous potential and benefit from several schemes of the centre and UT.
Sinha, he said, urged the high-powered committee of agricultural scientists being constituted under the chairmanship of renowned scientist, Dr. Mangala Rai, to prepare a futuristic blueprint which can be implemented in the next three years.
He further said that the LG highlighted the steps taken to exploit untapped opportunities offered by horticulture and ensuring end-to-end approach from plantation to post-harvest management and processing to marketing in order to increase the quality production and exports.
“Transformation in the agriculture & allied sector is not just about productivity but also about food security, empowerment of farmers and prosperity of small farming families. The government is determined to translate the benefits of growth into the financial security of farmers,” Sinha said.
“The UT Government is providing as many benefits to the agriculture sector as available to those in the manufacturing sector, like, easy access to credit, infrastructure, pre and post harvest facilities, covering risks & uncertainties and various interventions and schemes for the benefit of farmers,” he added.
According to the spokesperson, the LG also asked the NAFED to speed up the high density plantations in order to achieve the set target of 5500 hectares of high density cultivated within the stipulated time frame.
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